Box Score

ROCK HILL, S.C. - Pitcher Jordan Garrett tossed a two-hit shutout, and junior Victoria Mariscal hit the game-winning homerun, to lead Western Carolina softball (5-8) to a 1-0 win over Winthrop (8-10) Friday at Terry field. The contest was the opening game of the Winthrop Tournament that will conclude Sunday.

Garrett, a senior from Henderson, N.C., evened her overall record to 4-4 with the seven inning performance. In her first shut out of the season, Garrett struck out seven and walked three.

Scoreless through five innings, Western Carolina got on the board with one swing. With one out, in the top of the sixth, Mariscal hit her third homerun one the year over the centerfield wall. It was the fourth hit given up by Winthrop pitching.

Weathering early scoring chances by Winthrop, Garrett turned away the Eagles at every turn. The Eagles had their best scoring opportunity in the third inning when Garrett gave up a lead-off walk to K.J. Uyeno who moved to third in a sacrifice bunt and single. Uyeno was thrown out at home on a fielder's choice play.

After the play at the plate, Garrett sat down nine straight batters before giving up a walk in the sixth inning. She stranded the Winthrop runner forcing a ground out. Garrett struck out the side, in the bottom of the seventh inning, to end the game. Junior Amber Kimrey led Western Carolina going 2-for-3 at the plate. Mariscal, Kara Salvo and Heather Chastain also had one hit a piece.

Western Carolina will face Belmont at 11 a.m. and Albany at 1 p.m. Saturday in day two action of the Winthrop Tournament.