Cullowhee, N.C. – #25 Clemson used three straight two-run innings to break an early 1-1 tie, guiding the visiting Tigers to the 7-3 nonconference win over Western Carolina on Wednesday from Betty Peele Field at the Catamount Softball Complex. The loss opened WCU's season-long nine-game homestand.
Junior Sydney Dirks and senior Tate Stewman led the Catamounts with a pair of hits apiece, with Stewman legging out her third double of the season. Dirks drove in a pair of runs for her team's best ninth multi-RBI game. Junior Lily Bell, along with seniors Taylor Waitley and Rylee Butler, each joined the hit column. With her base hit and walk, Bell pushed her streak of successfully reaching base to a team-long 12 games.
Western Carolina (16-9) struck first in the opening frame, capitalizing on consecutive walks to Bell and Waitley ahead of Dirks, who lined a single through the left side, allowing Bell to race home for the 1-0 lead. WCU loaded the bases in the frame, but the Tigers used three strikeouts to limit the rally, stranding three.
Clemson (20-9) got on the scoreboard in the third inning with consecutive singles up the middle, the second coming with two out that plated a run. WCU looked to answer in the home half, putting two aboard with a lead-off single by Waitley and a two-out double by Stewman. However, both were stranded as the game remained knotted at one.
The Tigers jumped in front in the fourth inning with a pair of solo homers that pushed the guests in front by a pair at 3-1.
WCU answered in the bottom half of the fourth as a one-out error allowed Sydnee Bumgarner to reach before she moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Butler lined a single up the middle to plate Bumgarner to make it 3-2 Clemson through four complete.
Clemson regained the multi-run advantage in the fifth inning, though, converting a one-out RBI triple before a sacrifice fly pushed the lead to three, 5-2. The Tigers added insurance in the sixth with a two-out RBI single followed by an RBI double to make it 7-2.
Conversely, the Tigers were efficient in the circle in the middle innings, facing the minimum over the two frames to extend the lead to five.
Western Carolina managed an offensive output in the bottom of the seventh with a one-out Bell single before a groundout advanced her into scoring position. Dirks lined a single through the middle that allowed Bell to score, providing the final tally at 7-3.
Amanda Fulton bookended the contest in the circle, combining to toss 4.2 innings. She scattered seven hits, allowed two runs, and recorded six strikeouts. Her season total now stands at a team-best 82 punchouts. AG Batson (7-1) threw 2.1 innings in relief and allowed five hits, five runs, and struck out one, suffering her first loss of the year.
Abby Dunning tossed 3.1 innings in the start for the Tigers, allowing five hits with a pair of runs, while adding seven strikeouts. Sierra Maness (11-3) pitched the final 3.2 innings, striking out six while limiting WCU to a run on two hits.
WCU opens Southern Conference play this weekend, beginning with a doubleheader on Saturday, March 21, in the three-game series against chromatic rival Furman. Saturday's doubleheader, part of Little League Day, presented by Todd Baucom Realty, begins at 1 p.m. before a series finale on Sunday at 1:30 p.m.
Saturday's twin bill is slated for ESPN+ (paid subscription required), with live stats available on CatamountSports.com for all three games.
Fans can follow WCU softball on Facebook, Twitter (@CatamountSB), Instagram, and CatamountSports.com.
