Boone, N.C. - App State (18-7) defeated East Tennessee State (13-11-2) at home on Wednesday. The Mountaineers scored three runs in the fifth inning and four in the sixth inning to win 7-1. The win is their fourth at home this season and part of a 9-1 record in the last 10 games.
Kenzie Longanecker picked up her 11th win in the circle after pitching 2.2 innings in relief, maintaining a perfect 11-0 record this season. The win puts her tied for fifth in App State history for most wins in a single season and tied for third for most career wins at 27.
The Mountaineers now have the most wins in a season since 2014. That year, App went 19-32 overall and 7-13 in the SoCon.
ETSU scored first in the second inning with a home run but that would be all the action they would see offensively.
Haley Stewart got things going for the Apps after a double to left center moved runners around and brought one run in. A sac fly by
Sidney Russell and smart base running by the Mountaineers would bring home two more for the inning.
Stewart would get the offense going again in the sixth inning as she hit a home run of her own to left field.
Alison Durrence came in to pinch hit for
Mary Pierce Barnes and would add to the score with a two-run home run to left field as well.
Maddy Bloom and Mackenzie Parker both came in to pinch hit as well. Bloom managed a walk and was able to round the bases after a Parker double to left field.
"I'm especially proud of our pinch hitters," said head coach
Shelly Hoerner. "They made the best of their opportunity and made things happen. It was really neat to see that the team was really excited about it and it shows that the mentality is all about the team. It doesn't matter who gets the credit; it's all about the team."
The Mountaineers go back into Sun Belt play this weekend with a series at Georgia State. The first game is scheduled for Friday, March 22 at 5 p.m.
