BOONE, N.C.- Appalachian State University softball (0-6) heads back out on the road to Atlanta, Ga. for the Panther Invitational hosted by Georgia State on Feb. 19-20 for three games. Action from Bob Heck Field kicks off for the Mountaineers at 10 a.m.
ASU got off to a slow start at the plate at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Ariz., last week, but ended the weekend scoring 14 runs off 24 hits. The Apps were led offensively by senior Hannah Dow, who tied for a team-leading five hits, including two homeruns. Dow leads the team in batting average with a .385 mark.
Sophomore Meghan Smith had an equally good week as she also collected five hits, with one being a homerun for a .357 batting average. Seniors Katie Boyd and Sarah Rappe chipped in four hits apiece for the Mountaineers. Dow and Rappe led Appalachian in the RBI category with three apiece.
Rappe also continued her terror on the base path. The SoCon's two-time stolen base leader started off the season, going five-for-five in stolen base attempts.
On the mound, ASU got 17 strikeouts from sophomore Frannie Seader in 15 innings of relief work, while only allowing one free pass.
Game One
ASU starts off the tournament at 10 a.m. against Lipscomb (1-4). Saturday marks the first time the two schools have met each other on the softball diamond. The Lady Bison are led by outfielder Breanna Thurman, who is hitting a solid .417, notching five hits in five games, with one RBI, while scoring two runs. Infielder Mollie Mitchell has tallied four hits good for a .308 batting average. Three of Mitchell's hits have been for extra bases.
Game Two
The Mountaineers face off with Memphis in a 2:30 p.m. match-up. Appalachian met Memphis for the first time last season in the Memphis Blues City Classic and lost 5-2. The Tigers have started off their season 3-2 due to a no-hitter by sophomore pitcher Carly Hummel and wins over its first ranked opponent #22/24 Ohio State, 7-3, and Kentucky, 3-2. Hummel, the reigning C-USA Pitcher of the Week, also got the victory against the Wildcats. In addition to solid pitching, the Tigers have garnered run support from first base Jessica Phillips, who is hitting .462 with six hits and five RBI. Two of Phillips' hits have come from homeruns.
Game Three
The Apps play host-Georgia State (4-2) in its first game of its stay in Atlanta at 12:15 p.m. on Sunday. Seeding will determine when the Mountaineers play its last game at the Panther Invitational. Appalachian has met Georgia State in four previous games. The last time the Mountaineers faced the Panthers was in 2008, with GSU getting the best of ASU, 7-1 at the FSU Invitational. The Panthers led the series, 3-1. GSU head coach Bob Heck is searching for win number 700 after splitting with Georgia Southern in a Wednesday doubleheader. The Panthers lost the first game 2-1, but bounced back to win the second, 3-2. In four games, outfielder Carrie Williams has posted a .667 batting average after finding the gap twice in three at bats. Catcher Emily Althafer is hitting .400 in two games, going 2-for-5 in two games. The Panthers have crossed the plate 23 times after pounding out 40 hits.
On Deck
The Mountaineers continue their tournament schedule as they head to Wilmington, N.C. to play in the Hughes Bros. Tires Seahawk Classic hosted by UNC Wilmington Feb. 25-26. First pitch for ASU is at 10 a.m. against Dayton.
