GREENSBORO, N.C.- Appalachian State University softball (16-18, 9-5 SoCon) bested UNCG (18-23, 6-7 SoCon), 6-2, behind a strong pitching performance by senior Hannah Dow and behind a career-high four-RBI game from sophomore Allie Cashion on Saturday night at UNCG Softball Stadium in Greensboro.
The Mountaineers and Spartans played one game today due to severe weather that powered its way through Greensboro Saturday morning.
Senior Katie Boyd started off the first inning by drawing her 23rd walk of the 2010-11 campaign and junior Megan Rembielak singled to the catcher, putting runners on first and second. During sophomore Meghan Smith's at bat, Boyd and Rembielak advanced one more base off the wild pitch by UNCG's Josie Felix. Smith grounded out to third base, but Boyd scored on the play for ASU's first run. Cashion hit a long foul ball down the left field line that April Langley was able to get under and grab, but that did not prevent Rembielak from scoring the second Appalachian run of the inning. Dow walked next, but junior Michelle Lighton lined out to right field to end the inning.
Rembielak started off the third reaching on a muffed throw and Smith followed up with a single right back up the middle. In the next at bat, Cashion came up and slammed her sixth home run of the season and 13th of her career, giving Appalachian a 5-0 lead.
Cashion continued her hot hitting in the fifth frame by doubling down the left field line with one out. Following a Dow strikeout, Cashion took third on the pass ball by Cory Mattson, who relieved Felix after three innings of work. Lighton notched a double off the right center wall, bringing Cashion in to score ASU's only run of the inning, giving the Apps a 6-0 advantage heading into the final two stanzas.
UNCG was finally able to scratch the scoreboard in the sixth inning by putting up two runs. Aisha Figueroa was hit by Dow and stole second. Jordan Jewett struck out swinging, but Kaitlin Merkt singled up the middle and advanced to second on a throw that was attempting to get Figueroa out at the plate. Alex Emeterio walked and moved over to second after the Mountaineers wanted to keep Merkt, who advanced on a wild pitch, at bay on third. Heather Robb singled back up the middle and advanced on a throw as Merkt crossed home for the second Spartan run of the inning. Dow settled in after allowing the two runs and struck out the next two batters to end the inning.
The Mountaineers held on to finalize the game at a score of 6-2.
Dow (8-4) picked up ASU career-high eighth win of the season and staff-high sixth complete game on a season-high seven strikeouts. Felix recorded the loss to move her overall record to 5-11.
Appalachian got multiple hits from Boyd and Cashion, who had two a piece, in addition to Cashion leading the way in RBIs with her career total.
Saturday marked the seventh time in Cashion's career that she has tallied four RBI in a single game. The last time she accomplished the feat was last weekend at Western Carolina.
The Mountaineers and Spartans return to action tomorrow at noon for the first game of the doubleheader. The series finale will follow 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game. Fans that cannot make it to Greensboro can follow live stats at www.GoASU.com, as well as watch live video for free.
