The Basics
Score: Western Carolina 18, Mercer 1 (5 innings); Mercer 9, Western Carolina 7
Records: Western Carolina 16-24; 3-8 SoCon; Mercer 11-30, 3-8 SoCon
Location: Cullowhee, N.C. | Catamount Softball Complex
CULLOWHEE, N.C. – Western Carolina softball tied the program record for most runs scored in game one's 18-1 victory, in five innings, over Mercer at the Catamount Softball Complex. The Catamounts dropped the second game 9-7. The two teams will play the rubber match at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Catamounts 18, Mercer 1 (5 innings)
Turning Point
Western Carolina scored 18 unanswered runs after Mercer took the early 1-0 lead in the top of the first.
How it Happened
- A pair of Western Carolina miscues, in the top of the first, allowed Mercer to score a run to open the game.
- In the bottom of the second Western Carolina took the lead. Senior Myra Twitty hit a lead-off home run to tie the game. After Savannah Rice doubled to centerfield and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt, she scored on a groundout RBI by Jeralynn Wells.
- The Catamounts scored four runs in the bottom of the third. Lindsay Perillo led off the inning with a walk, Brooklynn Brewington hit a bunt single, and Natalie Henry was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Bailey Huneycutt took advantage of the juiced bases with a grand slam.
- Western Carolina followed up the four-run third inning with 12 runs n the fourth. Back-to-back singles by Wells and Savannah Baldwin began the scoring onslaught. A sacrifice bunt by Perillo pushed Wells and Baldwin to second and third. Brewington followed with a two-RBI double to left field.
- The scoring continued for Western Carolina in the fourth. Henry walked and stole second. Huneycutt doubled through the left side for an RBI double plating Brewington and Henry.
- Still, with no outs, Huneycutt moved to third on a wild pitch and Twitty drew a walk. Rice doubled to left-center field picking up an RBI when Huneycutt scored and pinch-runner Claudia Riddle, in for Twitty scored on a Mercer error.
- Mattie Mentel followed with a single and she was sent home courtesy of a two-run home run by Wells whose shot just bounced over the right-centerfield wall.
- But wait, WCU wasn't done with the fourth inning. Baldwin hit a double followed by a single up the middle by Perillo moving Baldwin to third. Brewington hit a groundout but picked up an RBI when Baldwin scored. In an exclamation point in the fourth inning, Henry hit a two-run home run to centerfield.
Inside the Box Score
- Rice got the starting nod in the circle and did not give up an earned run. She gave up three hits and struck out seven improving to 9-10 on the season.
- Huneycutt was 3-for-4 in the game with two runs scored and six RBI. She was a triple shy of the cycle hitting a single, double, and home run in the game.
- Brewington and Henry each scored three runs in the game.
- The Catamounts had 15 hits in the game which was a season-high. The 15 hits are tied for the 12th most in program history.
- Western Carolina sat Mercer down in order in two of the five innings the Bears came to bat.
- The Catamounts hit four home runs in the game.
Mercer 9, Western Carolina 7
Turning Point
Mercer scored in five of the seven innings and held WCU scoreless in four of the seven.
How it Happened
- Mercer scored the first run of the game on an RBI single.
- Western Carolina took its only lead of the game in the bottom of the first. Brewington led off the inning with a bunt single and stole second. With one out, Huneycutt walked. Twitty came up and blasted a three-run home run to give WCU a 3-1 lead.
- Mercer would go on to score eight runs over the next six innings.
- After three scoreless innings, Western Carolina scored its fourth run of the game when Bailey Treadway hit a pinch-hit solo home run.
- With Western Carolina trailing 9-4 the Catamounts attempted a rally in the bottom of the seventh. With two outs, Henry was hit by a pitch. Huneycutt followed with a two-run home run to left field. Twitty followed with a solo home run. A groundout ended the inning and the game.
Inside the Box Score
- Rookie Tessa Juett got the start and went four innings giving up seven runs on 10 hits. She falls to 3-9 on the season.
- Fellow freshman Makenzie Martin replaced Juett in the fifth inning. She gave up two runs on two hits and struck out one.
- Western Carolina had seven hits in the contest.
- Brewington and Rice each had two hits in the game.
News & Notes
- With Huneycutt's pair of home runs in the doubleheader against Mercer, she now has 33 in her career. She needs three to take over the home run crown held by former Catamount Hunter Gibbons who had 35 in her career.
- Brewington, the Catamounts' single-season record-holder, now has 22 stolen bases in the season and is tied with ETSU's Kelly Warren.
- For the second time in as many appearances, Treadway hit a home run in her pinch-hit. She hit the first home run of her Catamount career against Tennessee, on April 13, when she came in to pinch-hit.
- Huneycutt's six RBI in game one against Mercer is tied for third in the WCU record books for most RBI in a game. She was one RBI from tying the school record.
- After Friday's games, Huneycutt now has 40 RBI on the season and sits in second place in the SoCon. She also now has 11 home runs which are also good for a tie for second place in the conference.
- For the season, Western Carolina's 44 home runs on the season are tied for third in the WCU record books.
Up Next
Western Carolina and Mercer will play the rubber match of the series Saturday at 1 p.m. The game has been moved back from 11 a.m. due to inclement weather that is expected overnight.
For the latest information on Catamount softball, follow @catamounts and @catamountsb on Twitter or go to www.catamountsports.com.
