May 4, 2014

Box Score

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Western Carolina softball (18-32, 8-13 Southern Conference) dropped the final game of the three-game Southern Conference series, in six innings, at Chattanooga 8-0 (30-19, 13-7 SoCon) Sunday at Frost Field.

Western Carolina will be the No. 6 seed heading into the 2014 Southern Conference Championships and face No. 3 seed Furman Wednesday at 12:30 p.m. in Greensboro, N.C. on the UNCG campus.

After hitting two batters, and getting out of the jam in the first inning, starting Catamount pitcher Courtney Buchanan did no escape unscathed plunking her third batter of the game to start the second.

The Mocs scored two runs in the second and it all began when Buchanan hit Kati Dutton. Buchanan then gave up a single to Jesslyn Stockard and walked Stephanie Rieck to load the bases with no outs. Buchanan walked in the first run when she gave up a free pass to Sam Taylor. After giving up the walk, and a run, Buchanan came back to strike out Sarah Beth Roberts for the first out. It was a short reprieve as Alyssa Taylor hit into a fielder's choice and also earned an RBI. Buchannan struck out Anyssa Robles, her second strikeout of the inning to end the inning and the Chattanooga scoring.

Chattanooga added three more runs in the third inning off a two RBI double by Rieck and a Western Carolina error, all with two outs.

Catamount freshman Kara Salvo spoiled Chattanooga pitcher Katie Henderson's no-hitter attempt with a single to centerfield in the fourth inning. Sophomore Taylor Sigmon followed with a single to second but both were stranded when Heather Chastain struck out to end the inning.

The Mocs tacked on two runs in the fifth inning again scoring with two outs. Chattanooga tacked on an additional run in the sixth inning to shorten the game.

Buchanan takes the loss and falls to 6-8 on the season.