March 2, 2012

Box Score vs. Moorehead State

Box Score vs. Rhode Island

WOODSTOCK, Ga. - Western Carolina softball (6-9) split its first pair of games at the Buzz Classic Friday, falling to Moorehead State 3-1 and then bouncing back to shut out Rhode Island 5-0.

Freshman hurler Jordan Garrett (4-4) earned the first shutout of her career, tossing a complete game against Rhode Island. She struck out a career-high 11 batters and only allowed four hits. Riding Garrett's solid performance, the Catamounts also offered offensive support in the win.

After a scoreless first inning, the Catamounts jumped on top of Rhode Island with three runs in the bottom of the second inning. Shemekia Scotton and Kelly Braman opened the inning drawing back-to-back walks off Rhode Island pitcher Sam Bedsoe. Junior third baseman Haley Pace got Western Carolina on the board with a two RBI double, scoring Scotton and Braman. Pace scored off an RBI double by Morgan Wyatt.

In the third inning, senior outfielder Erin Foster blasted her fourth homerun of the year to give the Catamounts a 4-0 lead. Western Carolina tacked on a fifth run in the fourth inning, this time a homerun from sophomore Braman.

Western Carolina had just five hits in the contest, but unlike the hits in the game against Moorehead State, these hits against Rhode Island were timely and beneficial. Pace accounted for two of the five hits the Catamounts strung together against Rhode Island.

Earlier in the day, Western Carolina battled with Morehead State, but was on the losing end against the Eagles, 3-1. Senior Catamount pitcher Katie King tossed 5.2 innings, allowing three runs on five hits and falls to 1-3 on the season.

The Eagles tallied the first run of the game in the first inning, as junior Adrena Anderson singled through the right side. Two batters later, sophomore Stephanie Etter garnered MSU's only RBI of the game with a single to left field, scoring Anderson.

Morehead State added a second run in the fifth inning when junior Kayla Ashbrook doubled to right center field. Senior Kayla Brill then reached on a sacrifice bunt and an error by King, allowing Ashbrook to score.

Western Carolina scored a run in the top of the sixth inning. Scotton drew a walk to open the sixth and scored off an RBI single by Wyatt.

MSU registered its final run in the sixth inning with Etter recording her second single of the game through the middle. The sophomore then stole second and advanced to third on a groundout by junior Elizabeth Wagner. Junior Amber Riddle then reached on an error by, allowing Etter to score.

The Catamounts had its chances to tie or take the lead in the game, in the top of the seventh inning. Pinch hitter Robyn Burnette opened the inning with a single, and with one out, Amelia Griffin walked and Foster singled up the middle to load the bases. Scotton ground out into a fielder's choice, and Burnette was out at home for the second out. Braman ground out for the third and final out to end the Catamount threat.

Western Carolina returns to action on Saturday, in the Buzz Classic, facing Jacksonville State at 4 p.m. and UT Martin at 6 p.m.