BOONE, N.C.- Appalachian State University softball (19-19, 10-6 SoCon) doubled up Presbyterian (22-14, 6-6 Big South) in the later innings of both games, winning the first, 1-0 and the second, 3-2 on Wednesday night at Sywassink/Lloyd Family Stadium as part of Strikeout Cancer.
The Mountaineers had to use late, timely hitting to seal the deal in both victories.
Appalachian only tallied one hit through three innings until junior Michelle Lighton singled to left field, moving sophomore Allie Cashion over to second base after she reached on a fielder's choice in the bottom of the fourth inning. Senior Morgan Price singled into left field and advanced to second on the throw, as the Blue Hose defense tried to get Cashion out at the plate for the game's only run. Lighton moved over to third on the play. With runners in scoring position, senior McKenzie Phillips went down swinging to end the inning, but not before ASU would take the 1-0 advantage.
The only other ASU hit of the game came in the bottom of the fifth inning when senior Katie Boyd singled to left field and got caught trying to steal second to end the stanza.
The Apps tallied the win, despite getting out hit by PC, 6-4 with both teams committing one error a piece.
Senior Hannah Dow (9-4) picked up the victory, going six innings, giving up five hits and striking out six, while Presbyterian's Leslie Hensley (14-8) was charged with the loss.
Junior Caitlin Wainright came in to throw the last inning and picked up her second save of the season, only giving up one hit, while walking two and striking out one.
Lighton notched two of ASU's four hits, while Boyd and Price picked up the others.
The second game of the doubleheader ended more dramatically.
PC got on the board early in the first inning, but Appalachian was not able to equal the run output, despite having bases loaded. Boyd reached base on an error by PC's second base Morgan Durham and managed to steal second. Junior Megan Rembielak laid down a nice bunt and beat it out for a single, moving Boyd over to third. Rembielak stole second easily and sophomore Meghan Smith walked to load the bases. Presbyterian's Brittany Howell was able to stifle the Mountaineer offense, striking out three straight Apps swinging to get out of the bases-loaded jam.
But ASU answered in its half of the fifth to tie the game up. Senior Sarah Rappe singled to first base to start off the inning. Boyd hit a long pop up to right field for the first out, but Rembielak laid down another bunt, sacrificing herself to advance Rappe to second base. Smith laced a ball through first base, allowing Rappe to come around to score, tying the game up at 1-1. Smith would steal second, but Cashion popped up to right field to end the inning.
After getting Hensley to ground out to second base to start off the sixth, sophomore Louise Gibson had Codee Yeske take a pitch over the left center fence, giving the Blue Hose a 2-1 lead. Gibson settled down to get the next two batters out.
Down to their last at bat, Rappe got the ASU offense going in the seventh by singling through the right side for her second hit of the game. Boyd singled back up the middle, giving the Mountaineers runners on first and second. Rembielak laid down her second sacrifice of the game and advanced Rappe and Boyd over to second and third. After fouling off three pitches and letting one go by for a ball, Smith singled up the middle, allowing Rappe and Boyd to cross home plate, lifting the Black and Gold to a 3-2 victory.
Wainright (4-4) relieved Gibson in the seventh inning and earned the win after sitting down the final two batters in the frame. Hensley (14-9) replaced Howell for the final inning and was given the loss.
Smith led ASU's offense, tallying three hits and three RBIs in the victory, while Rappe added her two hits.
The Mountaineers return to the diamond on Friday and Saturday to take on Samford. Friday's games are at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. and Saturday's finale, which is Senior Day, will start at 1 p.m.
