As has become a summer tradition, appstatesports.com is counting down Appalachian State University athletics' 30 most memorable games, matches and meets from the 2015-16 academic year. This year's countdown begins on Tuesday, July 5 and will continue until Tuesday, August 2.
Be sure to check appstatesports.com each day to relive all of the Mountaineers' most lasting memories of an exciting and successful 2015-16.
Pepper Butler Graduates During Special Ceremony
March 19, 2016
BOONE, N.C. - In a game that lasted more than four hours and saw a combined 44 runs, 52 hits, 13 home runs, and 91 total bases, Appalachian State University softball fell to Troy in an absolute slugfest, 25-19.
It was Pepper Butler Day at the ballpark and Butler was honored prior to the game against Troy. She was able to graduate in front of her father, who is suffering from cancer, in a pre-game ceremony.
The Mountaineers (6-23, 1-5 Sun Belt) set program records for home runs in a game with seven and total bases with 41. They also earned season highs in at-bats (39), runs scored (19), hits (18), and RBI (18). Individually, Jenny Dodd, Heather Josey and Cara Parker each had three-hit days and Parker turned in her first two-blast game of the season. Those three went deep as well as Natalie Orcutt, Pepper Butler and Ally Walters.
Leading the Trojans (21-7, 4-2 Sun Belt) was center fielder, Carli Kayler, and right fielder, Hannah Day. The two combined to go 9-for-12 (.750) with six home runs, eight runs scored and 15 RBI. As a team, Troy set Sywassink/Lloyd Family Stadium records with 25 runs scored and 24 hits.
Heading into the bottom of the sixth inning, the visitors led by eight, 16-8, before the Black and Gold began to mount the nearly improbable comeback. Orcutt led things off with a solo shot to right center and pinch-runner, Mallory Choplin, came into score when Parker reached on a fielding error by the center fielder.
The next batter was Butler who came through clutch, as the senior outfielder hit one over the fence in dead center, a three-run shot. The next two runs came in when Tiffany Taynor hit a single to left that pushed both Megan Walker and Walters across the plate and App State was within one, 16-15. However, the Trojans put up a nine spot in the top of the seventh to take a commanding 25-15 advantage.
At that point, the Mountaineers were able to score four in the home half, but couldn't get any closer before the final margin of six runs.
Appalachian State's 13-game homestand continues Tuesday with a doubleheader against Morehead State. First pitch of game one is scheduled for 4 p.m. inside Sywassink/Lloyd Family Stadium.
Appalachian State Athletics' Most Memorable Moments of 2015-16
No. 30: Women's Tennis 4, Georgia Southern 2 (April 20, 2016)
No. 29: App State Knocks Off No. 24 Duke (December 15, 2015)
No. 28: Another 8-7 Walkoff Win Clinches Series Victory (April 4, 2016)
No. 27: Apps Catch Fire in Resilient Win (January 28, 2016)
No. 26: Mountaineers Receive Votes for AP Top 25 (October 15, 2015)
No. 25: Men's Tennis Ousts Troy, Advances to SBC Semis (April 22, 2016)
No. 24: Apps Down GSU with Clutch Plays in Late Moments (Feb. 27, 2016)
No. 23: Frank Eaves Nets 1,000 Career points in 76-67 Win over GSU (Jan. 21, 2015)
No. 22: Jalin Moore Breaks Freshman Rushing Record in 47-20 Win (Nov. 14, 2015)
No. 21: Van Ord Leads App State with 10,000-Meter Win - Sun Belt Champ (May 13, 2016)
No. 20: Broaden Claims Sun Belt Title in 400-Meter Hurdles - Sun Belt Champ (May 13, 2016)
No. 19: Moriarty Cards Career-Low 65; Ties Program Record (March 7, 2016)
No. 18: Pepper Butler Graduates During Special Ceremony (March 19, 2016)
