Feb. 26, 2012

Box Score

GREENSBORO, N.C. - Western Carolina softball (5-8) dropped its final game at the North Carolina A&T Softball Invitational 11-3 to Youngstown State Sunday.

The Catamounts placed two players on the NC A&T Softball Invitational All-Tournament Team. Senior Erin Foster and junior Shemekia Scotton were named all-tournament. Scotton had a .667 batting average, in the four games, with six hits, three runs scored, five RBI and a double, triple and a homerun. Foster carded a .308 hitting average with four hits, three runs, two RBI and two homeruns.

In the final game of the tournament, Youngstown State benefitted from a huge five run fourth inning to put the game in the game against Western Carolina. The Penguins built an eight run lead, scoring a single run in the sixth inning, to shorten the game.

After starting Catamount pitcher Amber Steinhardt gave up a single run in the bottom of the first inning, the Catamounts got it back and one more in the top of the third inning. Steinhardt tossed a complete inning, giving up one run and two hits, before being replaced by freshman Jordan Garrett.

Western Carolina took a short-lived lead in the top of the third inning. A pair of RBI doubles by Shemekia Scotton and Kelly Braman gave the Catamounts a 2-1 lead.

Youngstown State would come back in the bottom of the third inning to re-take the lead with a pair of runs. In the ensuing innings Youngstown State would score in the next three innings.

Garrett, who gave up the winning runs against Youngstown State, took the loss in the game for the Catamounts. She falls to 3-4 on the season.

Scotton had three of Western Carolina's six hits in the game, going 3-for-3. She also had two RBI and scored a run.

Western Carolina will be back in action on March 2 competing in the Buzz Classic hosted by Georgia Tech. The Catamounts open the tournament at noon on Friday against Moorehead State.