STATESBORO, Ga.- Number-two seeded Appalachian State University softball (23-22) had its chances, but missed opportunities caused ASU to be upset by #7 Samford (14-39), 6-3, in the first round of the 2011 Southern Conference Softball Tournament at Eagle Field in Statesboro, Ga.
Both teams only sent three batters to the plate in the first inning, but an Allie Cashion double to center field gave the Mountaineers their first hit of the game in the bottom of the second. Junior Michelle Lighton reached on an throwing error by Samford pitcher Kayla Burris, allowing Cashion to come around and score ASU's first run of the game. After two outs were recorded, senior McKenzie Phillips came up with a single to left, moving Lighton over to third, but a fly ball ended the Mountaineer scoring for the inning.
Samford answered back in the top of the third with two runs of their own to go ahead 2-1, but Appalachian rallied back and plated two, as well.
Senior Katie Boyd led off the third with a single to left field and moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt to third base by junior Megan Rembielak. Sophomore Meghan Smith hit a double off the center field wall, plating Boyd. Cashion came through with her second hit of the evening with a double down the right field line and was caught up in a run down, but Smith crossed home during the confusion to give ASU a 3-2 lead. After a Lighton double to left field, Samford moved Nicole Bobrowski from first base to the pitcher's circle in place of Burris. Senior Hannah Dow reached on a fielding error, but a hard shot to second base by sophomore Sheridan Phillips ended the threat and left two on for the Mountaineers.
Samford answered back with the four runs used to defeat the Apps in the top half of the fourth inning. Junior Caitlin Wainright issued her third walk of the evening to Bobrowski to begin stanza and ASU brought in sophomore Louise Gibson to relieve her. On two separate occasions the Bulldogs got runners on the corners with two outs and stole second and Appalachian threw down to attempt to stop the stolen base, allowing the runner on third to score. With two on, Robyn Harmon singled to center field, scoring Kayla Shaffer and Brianna Chambers and giving Samford the 6-3 advantage.
In ASU's half of the fourth, M. Phillips started off the inning by reaching on an error by Amanda Jordan. Rembielak drew a two-out walk to put runners on first and second for Appalachian, but a strikeout by Smith stranded both, giving ASU six stranded base runners for the game.
Dow came in in relief of Gibson to start the fifth and did not allow a run for the rest of the game.
M. Phillips got thumbed by a pitch following a groundout to start the sixth and a single to right field moved M. Phillips over to second. Boyd reached on a fielder's choice that got M. Phillips out at third, but a pop up ended the threat again for ASU and stranded two more Mountaineers on the base path, giving Appalachian eight for the game. And that was how the game would end for the Apps.
Cashion ended the game with an ASU-high two hits and an RBI in the defeat.
Appalachian State will play the loser of #3 Georgia Southern and #6 UNCG at noon.
Fans can follow the action via live stats at www.SoConSports.com. Live video streaming of each game will also be available by subscription at www.SoConSports.com.
A single season pass is $5 for adults and $3 for children under the age of five. All-Session passes are $30 for adults and $15 for children under the age of five. Groups of ten or more can get passes for $2 each. No credit cards will be accepted on site - cash or check only. Students at Southern Conference institutions get in free with a valid student ID.
