CULLOWHEE, NC – Western Carolina used a four-run fourth inning en route to a 6-0 win over UNC Greensboro in Southern Conference softball action at the Catamount Softball Complex. The Catamounts claimed the series with the win after the two teams split a doubleheader on Saturday.
Western Carolina (20-26, 5-7 SoCon) took an early lead in the first inning. Mendy McKenzie hit a leadoff double to left center field which was followed by another double from Nikki Bost which plated McKenzie and gave Western Carolina an early 1-0 advantage.
UNCG (22-29, 3-9 SoCon) tried to respond in the top of the third inning. Emily Akiyama hit a leadoff single through right field and advanced to second base when Mary Greenway was walked by WCU's McKenzie. Audley hit another single through left field which advanced Greenway to second and Akiyama to third base, Akiyama was rounding third on her way to home but was tagged out at home plate.
Western Carolina added to their lead with another run in the third inning. McKenzie hit a leadoff single and advanced to second base when UNCG pitcher Amber Harrell walked the next batter. She was plated two plays later when Mollie Fowler hit an RBI single to extend the Western Carolina lead to 2-0.
The Catamounts tallied four runs in the fourth including a two-run home run from Savannah Filley to push their lead to 6-0. UNCG tried to respond in the fifth. Greenway was walked and advanced to second with a stolen base. She then moved to third when Audley grounded out to the pitcher but UNCG couldn't find a hit to bring Greenway around the bases.
The Spartans had another opportunity in the sixth inning with runners at first and third but Lyndsay Mouse hit into a double play and recorded the last two outs of the inning before the Spartans could get any runners across home plate.
Hannah Angel (5-8) suffered the loss after allowing one run on three hits in 2.0 innings pitched. She also struck out two. Bonilla led the way for the Spartans by going 2-for-3 from the plate.
The Spartans return to UNCG Softball Stadium when they host Liberty in doubleheader action April 18. First pitch is scheduled for 3 pm.
AGATE
GAME ONE
UNCG................ 000 000 0 - 0 6 1
Western Carolina.... 101 400 X 6 10 1
E - Audley; Beatty. DP - Catamounts 1. LOB - UNCG 9; Catamounts 8. 2B - McKenzie; Bost; Beatty. HR - Filley(5). HBP -Pritchard. SH - Bost. SB - Greenway 2; Mouse. CS - Pritchard.
Win - McKenzie (8-14). Loss - Angel (5-8). Save - None. HBP - by Harrell (Pritchard). PB - Reese. Umpires - Start: 1 PM Time: 2:00 HR Attendance: 100
- UNCG -
