Game 1Box ScoreGame 2 Box Score

The Basics
Score: Western Carolina 14, Howard 0, Western Carolina 3, Delaware State 1
Records: Western Carolina 2-0, Howard 0-6, Delaware State 0-1
Location: Cyrill Softball, Spartanburg, S.C.

SPARTANBURG, S.C. - Western Carolina softball opened the 2017 season 2-0 Friday with a 14-0 win over Howard and a 3-1 victory against Delaware State in day one of the Buffalo Wild Wings Classic hosted by USC Upstate.

Turning Point:
Western Carolina scored in all four innings they were at bat, including a grand slam by sophomore Hunter Gibbons in the second inning, to secure the win over Howard. The game was shortened to five innings due to the run rule.

How it Happened:
Western Carolina got on the scoreboard early when the Catamounts plated a run in the first inning off an RBI double by Kara Salvo to score Abigail Daniels. The Catamounts had their biggest inning of the game in the second inning putting five runs on the board aided by Gibbons grand slam. Courtney Price made it back-to-back home runs, in the second inning, when she hit a solo shot. WCU scored four runs in both the third and fourth inning to close out the game.

Inside the Box Score:
- Sophomore pitcher Lily Hayes had a strong showing tossing a three-hit shutout and striking out three and picked up the win in five innings.
- Western Carolina had 11 hits in the game.
- Salvo, Gibbons, Emily Weatherman and Erica Hayes each had two hits in the game.
- Abigail Daniels scored four runs in the game and also had a hit.
- Gibbons had five RBI in the game and Salvo had four.

Turning Point:
With Western Carolina clinging to a 2-1 lead, pinch hitter Emily Weatherman got a RBI single scoring E. Hayes to add the insurance run and secure the win.

How it Happened:
Western Carolina got on the board scoring two runs in the top of the first courtesy of Gibbons two-run homerun scoring Salvo in the process. Delta State shaved the lead in half scoring a run in the bottom of the first. Weatherman's pinch-hit RBI added a third run for the Catamounts and gave the team the insurance run.

Inside the Box Score:
- Sophomore pitcher Shaina Reed got her first start as a Catamount and also picked up her first victory. She went four innings allowing six hits, one run and striking out three.
- Senior hurler Courtney Buchanan picked up the save tossing three scoreless innings, not allowing a hit and striking out three.
- WCU had seven hits in the game and gave up six. WCU also had one error. - Price went 2-of-3 in the game.

News & Notes:
- Western Carolina's opening season win over Howard improves the Catamounts record to 3-9 in season openers.
- Daniels' four runs scored against Howard ties her career-high.
- The shutout for L. Hayes is the second of her career.
- Western Carolina starts the season 2-0 for the first time since 2011 when the club reeled off six straight wins to start the season.
- Buchanan earned the third save of her career.
- With two home runs in the pair of games on Friday, Gibbons now has 10 in her career ranking her tied for 18th in the WCU record books for home runs in a career.

Up Next:
Western Carolina continues play at the Buffalo Wild Wings Classic Saturday facing Toledo at 11 a.m. and host USC Upstate at 3 p.m.

For the latest information on Catamount softball, follow @catamounts on Twitter or go to www.catamountsports.com.