CONWAY, S.C. - Appalachian State University softball (31-21, 13-12 SBC) used a seven-run fifth inning to surge past Coastal Carolina (34-19, 12-14 SBC) in an 8-2 victory on Friday afternoon at St. John Stadium.
The Mountaineers tied the record for the most wins in a singles season set in 2013 and will have an opportunity to break the single-season wins mark on Saturday in the regular-season finale at 1 p.m.
"What a great team win to tie the school record for victories in a season," head coach
Shelly Hoerner said following the triumph. "Our bats came alive today led by
Ally Walters and
Mary Pierce Barnes. We were very productive through our lineup, and that made us successful."
App State snapped a five-game skid while ending Coastal's four-game win streak at home in the process. The offense put forth a stellar outburst with the eight runs on 10 hits after scoring once in the series opener on Thursday.
The Black and Gold took advantage of runners on base, particularly with the bases loaded as the Mountaineers scored all eight runs when the bases were full.
Highlighting the seven-run inning was
Ally Walters' second-career grand slam that extended a 4-2 edge to a commanding six runs, 8-2. App scored two runs earlier in the frame with the bases loaded thanks to an RBI single from
Mary Pierce Barnes and a bases-loaded walk drawn by
Sidney Russell.
The fifth-inning outburst came right after Coastal Carolina scored two runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a 2-1 lead after Natalie David hit a two-run homer. App State scored first in the top of the inning thanks to three singles capped off by an RBI driven in by Walters, scoring
Caylie Kifer with two outs.
Walters posted a 3-of-4 outing from the plate and a season-high five RBI with a grand slam, while Barnes posted a personal-high three hits with a run batted in. Four other Mountaineers chipped in with hits, and Kifer scored a team-best two runs.
Earning the win inside the circle and improving to 14-9 on the season was
Sydney Holland, who pitched her 13th complete game of the season. She produced a solid effort scattering five hits and allowed two runs in seven innings. Holland helped hold the Chanticleers scoreless for the first three and last three innings of the contest. The defense produced a great effort behind Holland, going errorless for the third straight game.
"I'm proud of how Sydney (Holland) had command of all her pitches today," Hoerner stated. "She set the tone for our team and we played great defense behind her."
