April 24, 2004
Appalachian State Silences Furman Bats, Sweeps Softball Doubleheader
Greenville, S.C. -- Three Appalachian State pitchers limited Furman to six total hits on their way to a 1-0, 2-1 doubleheader sweep of the Lady Paladins in softball action Saturday afternoon at Pepsi Stadium.
In game one, starting pitcher Jordan Arnold (8-9) allowed just two hits while striking out two in the Mountaineers 1-0 victory.
The Mountaineers tallied the only run of the game in the top of the third inning. Amber Handy reachen on a one-out single, stole second, stole third and scored on a two-out single to center off the bat of Diana Cook.
Handy led Appalachian State at the plate going 2-for-4 with four stolen bases. Kristyn Hurt also collected two hits for the Mountaineers.
Rachel Henley (9-19) took the loss for Furman surrendering only one run on six hits in seven innings of work. The Kingston, Tenn., native struck out nine and allowed just one walk.
Appalachian State got all the offense it would need in the second inning of game two. Catcher Sarah Gough led off the frame with a double down the left field line. After Hurt sacrificed her to third, Gough scored when Candace Shelton reached on a fielder's choice.
Appalachian State upped its advantage to 2-0 after Shelton stole second and scored on an RBI single by Wendy Lewis.
Furman mounted a rally in the bottom of the seventh. Joni Lockridge led off the inning with a single up the middle. Karen Myers was hit by a pitch to give Furman runners at first and second. Kristy Goodrich followed with an RBI single to center plating Lockridge to cut the lead in half. With runners on second and third and no one out, Sarah Scott grounded out to the pitcher and Myers was thrown out at the plate trying to advance on the throw to first.
Mountaineer reliever Marie Watson, who earned her second save of the year, got Danielle Franklin to strike out to end the Furman threat and give Appalachian State the 2-1 victory.
Jennifer Hurley (7-9) picked up the win for ASU allowing one run on four hits in six innings of work.
Goodrich (3-11) suffered the loss for Furman giving up two runs on five hits in two innings in the circle. Erica Nesselroad pitched five innings of one-hit relief to hold the Mountaineers in check.
Lindsay Glover paced the Appalachian State offense going 2-for-3, while Lewis went 2-for-2 with an RBI.
Appalachian State improves to 18-30 overall and 6-11 in the Southern Conference while the Lady Paladins fall to 12-41 and 5-9 in league play.
Appalachian State and Furman will conclude their three-game set with a single game at 1 p.m. Sunday at Pepsi Stadium.