Box Score

The Basics
Score: Western Carolina 1, Western Illinois 0
Records: Western Carolina 1-1, Western Illinois 2-5
Location: Boiling Springs, N.C. (Brinkley Stadium)

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - Junior hurler Shaina Reed tossed a four-hit shutout, striking out seven, to help propel Western Carolina softball to a 1-0 win over Western Illinois Saturday in the Runnin' Bulldog Softball Tournament hosted by Gardner-Webb.

Turning Point
With the game scoreless in the bottom of the sixth inning, junior Madison Armstrong hit an RBI single scoring Erica Hayes and setting up Western Carolina's 1-0 win over Western Illinois.

How it Happened
Both teams struggled to plate a run through six and a half innings. Western Carolina had an early chance when Abigail Daniels and Hayes hit back-to-back singles to lead off the bottom of the first. The Catamounts couldn't push a run across. WCU also had a chance in the bottom of the fifth, again with runners on second and third, and again couldn't get a run. The third time was the charm in the bottom of the sixth when Hayes picked up her second hit of the game, a triple to right field with one out. After Hunter Gibbons drew a walk, Armstrong hit an RBI single scoring Hayes. Western Illinois only strong threat came in the second inning with a runner on third, Reed got a strikeout looking to end the threat.

Inside the Box Score
- Western Carolina had five hits in the game and Western Illinois ended with four.
- Hayes was 2-for-3 in the game with a run scored and triple.
- Reed tossed a four-hit shutout and struck out seven.

News & Notes
- Western Carolina earned its first shutout of the season with the 1-0 win over Western Illinois.
- WCU is now 1-1 against Western Illinois.
- Armstrong knocked in her 51st RBI of the season and is 21st place. She needs four RBI to move into 20th in the Catamount record books.

Up Next
Western Carolina will look to avenge their loss to Eastern Illinois with a 4 p.m. rematch today. The Catamounts lost 5-3 against the Panthers on Friday.

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