College of Charleston
Western Carolina (DH)
CofC splits DH at Western Carolina
4/12/2008 4:00:00 AM | Softball
Cullowhee, N.C. -- The College of Charleston softball team was shut out 8-0 in a five-inning first game, before going on to win game two 9-2 against Western Carolina in a Southern Conference doubleheader, Saturday at Catamount Softball Complex.
After the first two games of the three-game series, the Cougars' record moves to 24-27 overall and 6-5 in the conference. The Catamounts won their first home game to move their record to 9-29 and 3-11.
WCU dominated the first game with six hits as Lauren Ross (4-14) threw only the second no-hitter of her collegiate career. The Catamounts opened scoring with two runs in the first inning. The defense managed to hold the Cougars scoreless, while the offense scored five runs in the third and one in the fourth.
Ross pitched through five innings striking out seven batters in 15 at-bats. Terri Mesko (9-15) struck out three batters in 2.1 innings and allowed four earned runs and three hits. Shannon Howard pitched 1.2 innings in relief.
Junior Tiffany Harmon led off the third inning with a bunt back to the pitcher to reach first. She advanced to second off a sacrifice bunt from Kristi Woodall. Howard, hit her 10th double of the year to drive in the run by Harmon. First baseman Katie Nutaitis doubled to left to score Howard and then scored off a single from Brittany Small.
Jamie Swank and Danielle Reese scored in the bottom of the third to spoil the CofC shutout. But, after one complete inning with no score, the Cougars added four more runs for insurance.
Mesko (10-15) pitched a complete game striking out three batters and allowing four hits in 25 at-bats. Lily McDonagh (1-9) pitched 2.1 innings allowing five hits and four earned runs before being relieved by Michelle Tating.
Game three, the series finale, is Sunday, April 13, with first pitch at 1 p.m.
