FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 3-13-00

College Softball: AASU 2-8, Catawba 3-1

Courtesy Catawba Sports Information

SALISBURY, N.C. – Catawba College and pre-season No. 11 Armstrong Atlantic State University split a softball doubleheader at Whitley Field on Monday afternoon. Catawba took the opener, 3-2, while the Pirates claimed an 8-1 win in the second game. The split moves Catawba to 6-15 on the year, while Armstrong Atlantic goes to 22-1.

Catawba made the most of its only hit in the first game as Heather Shook drove home the tying and go-ahead runs with a two-out single in the bottom of the sixth. The Lady Indians entered the sixth down 2-0 and started their rally with a one-out walk to Valerie McDowell. Megan Porch reached on a throwing error, putting runners at second and third. McDowell scored the first run of the inning on Missy Alcott's bunt. Stacy Brunell ran for Alcott and stole second, setting up Shook's game-winning hit.

Catawba's Jennifer Pittman entered the game in the top of the sixth and retired all six batters she faced to earn the win. Maria Lopez was the tough-luck loser for the Pirates, allowing just one hit over six innings with 10 strikeouts.

The Pirates used a four-run fourth, benefitting from three Catawba errors, to pull away in the second game. Catawba had tied the game in the first when McDowell stole home, but AASU took the lead for good on a leadoff homer by Crystal McCracken. Pirate pitcher Annie Sells cruised after the first inning, allowing only a two-out single in the seventh after the opening frame. Sells struck out 14 batters in seven innings.

AASU hosts two PBAC doubleheaders this weekend - USC Aiken on Saturday at 1 p.m., then Francis Marion on Sunday at 2 p.m.

- Pirates -