CULLOWHEE, N.C. - Appalachian State (30-17) won game one and lost game two of the doubleheader against Western Carolina (18-27) on Tuesday. The Mountaineers scored eight runs on 10 hits in the 8-2 game one win but fell short in the seventh inning of game two, losing 2-3.
With the win, Appalachian State reached 30 wins for the second time in program history. The only other time the Mountaineers have had a 30-win season was in 2013 when the Apps went 31-22 under third year head coach Shae Wesley.
Head coach
Shelly Hoerner is in her second season with the Mountaineers. After going 14-34 in 2017, Hoerner led the Mountaineers to an improved 17-35 record in her first season in command. The improvement jump to 30 wins is the largest margin of imporvement since 2009 when under head coach Amy Herrington.
The Mountaineers are currently 12-8 in Sun Belt play as they head into their final six regular season conference games. For the first time in program history, the Apps have punched their ticket to the Sun Belt Conference Tournament. The tournament will begin following the series against Coastal Carolina on May 8 and conclude on May 11.
Game One
With the win in game one of the doubleheader,
Sydney Holland picked up the win in the circle bringing her record to 13-8 on the year. Holland picthed her 11th complete game of the season tallying five strikeouts along the way and allowing only two runs.
The Catamounts struck first with a double and a sacrifice bunt to bring home two runs in the bottom of the third. Despite the lead, it would be the last time they would touch home in game one.
In the top of the fourth, the Mountaineers responded scoring five runs on four hits.
Haley Stewart,
Alison Durrence and
Megan Walker each had a single to put runners on and get the offense flowing. After Gabby Burauto made her way around for the first Mountaineer run on the single by Durrence,
Baylee Morton would draw a walk and bring home Stewart.
Keri White knocked a double through the left side to keep the inning alive scoring Walker, Morton and
Sidney Russell and bringing the score to 5-2.
In the top of the sixth, White got on base with a single and
Caylie Kifer did the same to bring her home.
The final two runs for the Mountaineers came in the seventh inning when Mackenzie Parker drove home
Ally Walters and
Mary Pierce Barnes to cap the score at 8-2.
Game Two
Maddie Siemer suffered the loss in the circle after recording 4 strikeouts in the loss, bringing her record to 2-4.
Taylor Nichols also picked up a strikeout after finishing the sixth inning with bases loaded without allowing a run to score.
Again the two remained scoreless midway through the second game and again the Catamounts scored first.
In the bottom of the fourth, two singles put runners on and in scoring position. After a groundout allowed the first run to score, Western Carolina hit a two-run home run to right field to bring the score to 3-0.
The Mountaineer defense would step up and did not allow another run to score the remainder of the game.
In the top of the seventh, the bats came to lfie for App State as Stewart singled to get on base.
Alison Durrence followed nicely with a two-run home run to center field to bring the score to only a one-run deficit. The home run was Durrence's 12th on the year as she continues to lead the team and is now tied for second in the Sun Belt Conference.
With two outs in the game,
Ally Walters singled to right field but was caught in a run down for the final out of the game, ending the seventh inning comeback just short.
"Any win is a good win, especially when you hit the 30 mark for only the second time in program history," head coach Shelly Hoerner said. "I continue to be so proud of what this team is accomplishing. Their fight amazes me; their love for each other is even greater. They have played with passion and for each other every day and I can't ask for anything else."
The doubleheader marked the end of non-conference play for the Mountaineers. App State is back in Boone this weekend as they take on UTA in a weekend series. The two are the fourth and fifth ranked teams in the Sun Belt respectively as they head into a crucial matchup that will ultimately determine Sun Belt tournament rankings in May.
First pitch for game one is currently scheduled for 5 p.m. on Friday. Game two is set to begin on Saturday at 2 p.m. followed by game three on Sunday at 12 p.m.
App State Softball thanks AutoStar Nissan of Boone for presenting the 2019 Softball Season.
