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Mountaineer softball sweeps Catamounts |
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Thursday, 20 March 2008 |
by CORY WATSON
Intern Sports Reporter
After being on the road for the entire first half on the season, the Appalachian State University softball team finally got the opportunity display their talents in front of the home crowd Monday.
They completed a three-game series sweep against Western Carolina University by a score of 9-1 in its first home contest against a conference opponent.
With the victory, the Mountaineers improved their record to 4-18 overall and 3-0 in the Southern Conference.
First-year head coach Amy Harrington attributed some of the success to playing at home for the first time this year.
Harrington was quick to praise the overall performance of the team.
“Everything came together for us today,” Harrington said. “We had offense and the defense played well.”
The Mountaineers took an early lead in the contest when sophomore
Meagan Squartino doubled to centerfield, driving in freshman Katie Boyd
and Brittany Gaston.
With two outs in the third inning, Appalachian added four runs to its
lead when Catamount pitcher Lauren Ross walked in one run.
Senior Natalie Willis then doubled into leftfield to clear the bases only one batter later.
Junior pitcher Kayla Richardson made her presence known Monday,
allowing only one run in six innings pitched. She also struck out two
batters, while walking two others.
“Richardson had a good outing,” Harrington said.
Richardson finished the game with a win and improved her record to 3-7.
Adding insult to injury, the Mountaineers ensured a victory when
Squartino drove in two more runs, scoring Boyd and freshman Sarah
Rappe.
Squartino had two hits in three at-bats and finished the game with 4 RBIs - a career high.
Western Carolina tried to keep the game close in the fourth inning when
they loaded the bases but catcher Danielle Reese grounded out to
Richardson, stranding three runners on base. The Catamounts were only
able to score one run.
Western Carolina finished with six hits on the day, but left seven runners on base.
The Mountaineers combined for nine hits on the day, while only committing one error.
In addition to Squartino’s performance, Willis added 3 RBIs on the day with 2 hits.
Harrington said the win gives the team much needed confidence it will look to take on the road later this week.
Appalachian hopes to maintain its perfect conference record when the
team travels to face SoCon rival College of Charleston Friday in a
doubleheader.
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