BOONE, N.C. – For the first time in school history, Appalachian State University softball snatches a Sun Belt Conference series victory downing UTA in a doubleheader, 2-0 and 3-2, on Saturday, April 29 at the Sywassink/Lloyd Family Softball Stadium in Boone.
“I thought that we threw very well today,” said head coach Janice Savage. “I thought Vanessa pitched great in the first game and Kenzie came in and closed it out. I thought Kenzie gutted it out a lot in game two, especially going the full seven. We made it interesting there in the seventh inning in the second game, but I was proud to see us close it out and finish the game. I would like to see fewer errors tomorrow, but I am excited for us to get back on the field.”
Appalachian State (14-30, 2-18 SBC) snapped an 18-game skid on Saturday and picked up their first conference win since edging the Mavs (25-22,11-12 SBC 4-3) 4-3 on April 3, 2016. The Black and Gold also seized their first conference series win since App downed Furman in 2014. Also, game one's 2-0 victory is the first time the Mountaineers shut out a Sun Belt foe since joining the conference in 2015.
Game One: App State 2, UTA 0
App State's tough pitching and sound defensive performance silenced the Mavs in game one, as Megan Walker's two-run RBI was enough to down the Mavericks 2-0.
A pitcher's duel dominated the first two and a half innings until Keri White smacked out the first hit of the game. Right after that, Sidney Russell drew a two-out walk to put two on for the Mountaineers. After an illegal pitch had advanced the runners to third and second, Walker knocked the freshmen home to end the third up by two.
At the top of the sixth, the Mavs put up their best offesnive inning threatening to score with two on base, but a flyout stranded the pair to end the inning.
With three outs left to take game one, Longanecker neutralized UTA's offense retiring the batters in order to blank the Mavericks, 2-0.
White highlighted the offense with a perfect 2-for-2 output and scored one run.
Ciocatto (2-10) set the tone for the Apps in the circle limiting the Mavs to one hit and one walk. Then at the top of the sixth, Longanecker came in relief for the save holding the Mavs to two hits and did not give up any walks.
Game Two: App State 3, UTA 2
Despite a seventh inning rally by the Mavericks, Taylor Rivenburgh's two-run RBI in the fourth was enough to hold off UTA to extend App State's win streak against the Mavs to three-straight games.
App State jumped on the board first off a sac. fly by Haley Stewart for the early 1-0 lead at the end of the second.
At the top of the third, the Mavericks were eager to take the lead with two runners in scoring position, but Longanecker pulled the Apps out of the tight situation with a strikeout.
In the fourth, Heather Josey opened the bottom half crashing out a single through the left side, and Ally Walters and Stewart loaded the bases drawing back-to-back walks. After Maddy Bloom, who pinch ran for Josey, was tagged out heading home on a fielder's choice, Rivenburgh pinched in and paved the way for two to dash home for the 3-0 advantage.
Down by three, UTA was in dire need of striking up something offensively and cut App State's lead to 3-2 scoring off two consecutive RBI at the top of the seventh, but Longanecker's cat-like reflexes stopped UTA from scoring again, throwing the batter out at first to edge the Mavs, 3-2.
Four ladies crashed out hits in game two and Longanecker (9-11) pitched her seventh complete game in 7.0 innings and struck out two in the process.
Up Next
App State softball will wrap up conference play with UTA tomorrow, April 30 at noon at the Sywassink/Lloyd Family Stadium. Before the start of game three, we will recognize seniors Vanessa Ciocatto, Katie Mathewson and Cara Parker.
