Box Score |   

The Basics
Score: Chattanooga 5, Western Carolina 3
Records: Western Carolina 9-21, 0-4 SoCon, Chattanooga 17-22, 3-4 SoCon
Location: Cullowhee, N.C. (Catamount Softball Complex)

CULLOWHEE, N.C. -- Western Carolina softball dropped the first game of the three-game Southern Conference series against Chattanooga 5-3 Saturday at the Catamount Softball Complex. The two teams will play a doubleheader Sunday beginning at noon.

Turning Point
Chattanooga scored three runs in the top of the fifth, overcoming a 3-2 deficit, to hold onto the 5-3 lead and earn the win.

How it Happened
- Chattanooga broke open the scoreless game scoring two runs in the top of the fourth inning. A Mocs single and a Catamount error placed two runners on base setting up back-to-back sacrifice flies by Chattanooga for the pair of runs.
- Western Carolina took its only lead of the game scoring three runs in the bottom of the frame in the fourth inning. Junior Shaina Reed got it started for Chattanooga with a one-out solo homerun. After a walk by Kailey McNeil and a two-out walk to Danielle Chapman put runners on first and second, Abigail Daniels hit an RBI single to centerfield and Chapman moved to third. A Chattanooga wild pitch scored Chapman for the third run of the inning.
- Chattanooga retook the lead for good in the top of the fifth scoring three runs. A timely two-RBI double and a Catamount error in the inning set up the three Moc runs.
- Western Carolina's rally attempts were thwarted by Chattanooga relief pitcher Celie Hudson who came into the game with two outs in the fourth and promptly sat down 10 straight Catamounts.

Inside the Box Score
- Junior pitcher Lily Hayes got the start and takes the loss falling to 4-10 on the year. She went five innings giving up five runs, three earned, on seven hits and struck out two.
- L. Hayes was replaced by freshman Haley Brogden who finished out the game. Brogden tossed two innings of shutout ball allowing just two hits and struck out two.
- Western Carolina had five hits in the game and gave up nine to Chattanooga.
- Abigail Daniels was 2-for-3 in the game with a single, a double and an RBI.

News & Notes
- A walk in Hunter Gibbons first at-bat extended her on-base streak to 13 straight games.
- Western Carolina has hit 15 homeruns over the last 10 games and had at least one homerun in the last five games.
- With the loss against Chattanooga, the Catamounts have lost three straight games.
- Gibbons has eight homeruns this season and pushes her career total to 25 moving her into second place in the WCU record books. She needs five homeruns to break the Catamount record.

Up Next
Western Carolina will play a doubleheader with Chattanooga beginning at noon on Sunday to close out the three-game Southern Conference series.

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