Greensboro, N.C. – The App State softball team returns to the field this Saturday, taking on UNC Greensboro in a three-game series. First pitch on Saturday is set for Noon. The Mountaineers and Spartans will then play a doubleheader on Sunday, with the first pitch also at Noon.
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About the Mountaineers
The Mountaineers opened their season at Charlotte, finishing 1-2 in their opening weekend. App State lost a close one on Friday, falling 4-3 in extra innings. After a weather cancellation, the Mountaineers and 49ers played a doubleheader on Tuesday, with App State taking game one 12-7. Nine different Mountaineers scored in the victory and senior
Baylee Morton tied her career-high with five RBIs.
The second game of the doubleheader was a lower scoring affair, with the Mountaineers ultimately falling 5-3. Freshman
Delani Buckner got the start in the circle for the Mountaineers, giving up 11 hits in her five innings of work. She ended the day with three strikeouts.
Morton Momentum
Senior
Baylee Morton picked up right where she left off last season, posting solid numbers in the opening three games. The catcher had four hits in 10 at bats, including a double and three home runs. She also led the team with seven RBIs and five runs scored. Morton ended the weekend hitting .400 with a .500 on base percentage.
Freshmen Standouts
Freshmen
Emma Jones and
Kayt Houston both were in the starting lineup for all three games against Charlotte. Jones, the starting second baseman, had a standout week at the plate, leading the team in batting average with a .455. In 11 at bats, she had five hits, including a triple and three RBIs. She also scored two runs and led the team in on base percentage with a .538.
Houston was the starting designated player for the Mountaineers and tied for second in batting average with .400. She posted four hits in 10 at bats, including two doubles. She also had two RBIs and scored one run.
Last Time Out vs. UNCG
The Mountaineers beat the Spartans 2-1 last year in the Spartan Classic. Senior
Sydney Holland threw a complete game no-hitter, the first of her career and the first since head coach
Shelly Hoerner arrived at App State. The no-hitter also marked the first for an App State pitcher since 2009.
Taylor Thorp and
Mary Pierce Barnes had RBI doubles to score the two runs.
Scouting UNCG
The Spartans opening weekend was canceled due to weather, as UNCG was set to take on North Carolina and No. 19 South Carolina. They will take on No. 13 Kentucky in a doubleheader on Friday before the Mountaineers make the trip on Saturday. UNCG finished the 2020 shortened season 15-7, with wins over Virginia, Clemson and North Carolina. UNCG is the preseason favorite in the Southern Conference and had six players earn preseason All-SoCon recognition.
