CONWAY, S.C. -- Appalachian State University softball (31-22, 13-13 SBC) dropped the series and regular-season finale 4-1 at Coastal Carolina (35-19, 13-14 SBC) on Saturday afternoon. The Mountaineers finish the 2019 regular season with 31 victories, which is tied with a program best set in 2013.
Maddie Siemer provided four hitless innings of relief for the Mountaineers, allowing only a walk in the third and sixth inning, respectively. Siemer highlighted her strong performance out of the bullpen by retiring eight consecutive Chanticleers' batters.
After Coastal Carolina used two home runs to jump out to an early 4-0 lead in the second inning,
Keri White crushed a third-inning solo home run over the wall in center field. Along with a leadoff single in the first inning, White's third home run of the season helped her finish with a solid 2-for-3 day at the plate.
With Coastal Carolina clinging to a 4-1 lead, the Mountaineers applied pressure on the Chanticleers in the sixth after
Haley Stewart smacked a double to left field.
Laura Sales pinch ran for Stewart, but App State was unable to cut into the deficit.
Four Mountaineers -- White, Stewart,
Mary Pierce Barnes and
Megan Walker -- recorded hits on the afternoon. Barnes singled to center field in the fourth inning while Walker delivered an infield single in the fifth.
Kenzie Longanecker suffered the loss in the circle and moved to 14-7 on the season.
App State will begin postseason play as the No. 5 seed in the Sun Belt Tournament at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday. The Black and Gold will square off against No. 8 seed ULM (11-40, 7-17 SBC).
