NORFOLK, VA. – Appalachian State softball finished off the Norfolk State Spartans with a 4-0 record in back-to-back doubleheaders. The Mountaineers are on a six-game win streak and now own a .500 record at 10-10.
The last six-game win streak occurred during the 2013 season when the Apps were Southern Conference champions. The Mountaineers had six wins in a row from April 20-24, 2013, when they swept Furman in three games, defeated USC Upstate and swept NC A&T in a doubleheader.
Game One (W, 5-1)
The Mountaineers started strong in the first inning putting two runs on the board.
Keri White singled to shortstop as the leadoff.
Laura Sales laid down a bunt and beat out the throw for a single.
Alisha Josey reached on a fielder's choice, but White ran into an out at third base.
Sidney Russell singled down the third base line to score both runs for the Mountaineers.
Sales laid down a second bunt for a single in front of home plate. A. Josey hit a line drive to the pitcher who made a double play to get out of the inning.
In the top of the third inning,
Jenny Dodd drove a ball up the middle for a single. Russell reached first base on a muffed throw by the second baseman after laying down a sacrifice bunt.
Baylee Morton's walk loaded the bases, and
Megan Walker's single to left field brought in a run for the Mountaineers. App State scored another in the top of the fourth on two outs. A. Josey singled to left field before Dodd doubled to center field for an RBI.
Baylee Morton jacked one to left center field to bring the score to 5-0. Morton's homer was her second of the season and second in the series against Norfolk State.
Dodd went 3-3 with two doubles in game one. White, Sales and Morton each had two hits apiece. The team had 13 hits combined, the second highest of the season.
Callie Kuykendall prevented the Spartans from hitting until the fourth inning and allowed only four hits in her complete game. She is now 2-2 on the season.
Game Two (W, 9-0, 5 innings)
Laura Sales had the first hit of the second game with a triple to left center. A. Josey reached first base on a throwing error which allowed Sales to score. Morton reached on a dropped fly ball in left field, and A. Josey scored the second run for the Mountaineers.
Keri White singled in the top of the second inning, scoring
Haley Stewart who reached on an error. With bases loaded in the third, Stewart jacked her first career grand slam and brought in four RBIs.
In the fourth, Sales led with a single up the middle. After stealing two bases, Sales scored on an RBI-single from Dodd.
Gabby Buruato pinch ran for Dodd and scored on a sacrifice fly from Morton for the Mountaineers' ninth and final run of the game.
Dodd and Sales both had two hits in the second game.
Annaleise Kennedy threw a complete game in five innings for the Mountaineers, allowing only two hits. Today's win is her second shutout of the season. Kennedy's record is now 2-0.
