GREENSBORO, N.C.- Appalachian State University softball (17-19, 10-6 SoCon) got a huge career-high nine-strikeout outing from junior Caitlin Wainright and a RBI-double from senior Katie Boyd to bounce UNCG (19-24, 7-8 SoCon) in the first game, 1-0, but fell in the second game 4-0 on Sunday afternoon at UNCG Softball Stadium in Greensboro.
Wainright collected four strikeouts and two flyouts through the first two frames before the Mountaineers broke through in the scoring column in the top of the third.
Sophomore Sheridan Phillips started off the top of the third by singling up the middle. Senior Sarah Rappe reached base on a fielder's choice after S. Phillips and Spartan second base Heather Robb collided and S. Phillips was charged with interference for the second out of the inning. Rappe stole second for the 15th time this season and Boyd doubled to right center, plating Rappe for the only run of the game and it proved to be all that ASU needed to defeat UNCG, 1-0.
Wainright (3-4) settled in to only allow three hits through the rest of the game, while continuing her strikeout pace by striking out five to tie her career-high nine strikeouts, including striking out the side in the fifth.
The three-hit complete game was Wainright's fourth complete game of the season. UNCG's Cory Mattson (9-11) took the loss.
In game two, Mattson was given the ball in the circle again and threw a two-hit complete game shutout against Appalachian.
UNCG got its two runs in the second off a two-run homer by Kaitlin Merkt, allowing her and Alex Emeterio, who got on by singling to left field to come home.
The Spartans plated one more run in the third after Emeterio singled in Kristen Gabel to go ahead, 3-0.
UNCG got its last run needed to secure the 4-0 victory when Gabel tallied a run on a wild pitch by Wainright, who relieved sophomore Louise Gibson (5-6) in the bottom of the fifth.
Boyd picked up back-to-back stolen bases in the third stanza to move her total to nine on the season.
The Mountaineers return to play on Wednesday (Apr. 20) in its Strikeout Cancer doubleheader against Presbyterian beginning at 4:30 p.m. at Sywassink/Lloyd Family Stadium. For the most up- to-date information on the Strikeout Cancer games and ASU softball news, visit www.GoASU.com
