BOONE, N.C.- Appalachian State University softball (22-19, 13-6 SoCon) earned its school-best third Southern Conference sweep of the season with a 2-1 win in the series finale with Samford (11-34, 7-11 SoCon) on Senior Day at Sywassink/Lloyd Family Stadium on a beautiful Saturday afternoon in the High Country.
The Mountaineers tie the school record for SoCon sweeps after defeating Elon and College of Charleston earlier in the season. During the 2009 season, ASU swept Samford, Elon and Furman to set the record.
Appalachian got off to a shaky start in the first inning with Kayla Shaffer reaching on an error by junior Megan Rembielak in the first at bat of the game. Shaffer advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Brianna Chambers and Robyn Harmon doubled down the right field line allowing Shaffer to plate Samford's only run of the game. Back-to-back groundouts ended the frame for the Bulldogs.
In the fourth inning, the Mountaineers scored the two runs needed to seal the victory for Appalachian.
Sophomore Meghan Smith walked to start off the stanza and stole second. Sophomore Allie Cashion then delivered a double to left center to score Smith, giving ASU a 1-0 lead. Junior Michelle Lighton nailed a deep sacrifice fly to center field, advancing Cashion to third base. Senior Hannah Dow got just enough on a fly ball to right field that allowed Cashion to tag up and give the Apps the 2-0 edge. Sophomore Sheridan Phillips shot a ball through the left side of the Bulldog defense, but she was left stranded when senior McKenzie Phillips struck out to end the inning.
The Black and Gold offense combined for 25 hits through the first two games of the series, but only needed three to take care of business in the series closer.
Samford also collected three hits, but was not able to capitalize on two Mountaineer errors.
Dow (11-4) went six complete innings in the circle, allowing the three hits and an unearned run for the win. With the victory, Dow is tied for second all-time for most wins in a single season. The record of 12 is held by her teammate, junior Caitlin Wainright, who picked up her third save of the season in the final inning.
Kayla Burris (8-14) went the distance for the Bulldogs, but was tagged with her 14th loss of the season.
The Mountaineers will take the next week off to take final exams and return to the diamond on May 5 when they travel to Blacksburg, Va. to take on Virginia Tech in a non-conference bout at 5 p.m.
