Trailing 4-0, the Presbyterian College softball team scored two runs in the sixth and two more in the seventh to force extra innings against Western Carolina in non-conference action this afternoon in Cullowhee, N.C. The Blue Hose scored a run in the eighth to take the lead and used a dramatic defensive play at home plate to keep the Catamounts from scoring and take the 5-4 win.
Originally a doubleheader, the series was shortened to just one after a rain delay disrupted game one in the second inning for over an hour.
The Blue Hose improved to 20-28 overall, while the Catamounts dropped to 18-32.
Kensley Loudermelk threw a complete game for the Blue Hose, allowing just one earned run off eight hits for the win (11-12). Mallory Broome came in relief and pitched 1.2 innings, giving up one run off two hits for the loss (5-9).
After a quiet first two-and-a-half innings, that included a rain delay of just over an hour, Western Carolina plated the first run of the game in the bottom of the third. Megan Crowe reached on a PC error and advanced to second on the play. She made it to third on a fielder's choice and scored the next batter on another Blue Hose error, as the Catamounts took the early 1-0 lead.
Kersten Legacki led off the top of the fourth with a single for PC's second hit of the game, but a double-play the next at-bat ended the PC threat. The Catamounts added a run in the bottom of the inning with a solo home run by Haley Pace, her sixth of the season.
Morgan Durham started a PC rally with a double to second with two outs in the top of the fifth, but a strikeout the next at-bat ended the inning.
Another PC error put Crowe on base to lead off the bottom of the fifth. She advanced to second and third off a single and a bunt the next two at-bats, before scoring the Catamounts' third run off a passed ball. A single by Shemekia Scotton brought home Amelia Griffin for run number four.
The Blue Hose used two walks and a single to load the bases with two outs in the top of the sixth. Erin Taylor stepped to the plate and laced a two-RBI single to left field to cut the Catamount lead to two, 4-2.
With one out in the top of the seventh, Shelby Petik singled up the middle and reached third when Cat Tarvin doubled to left field. Erin Ruff singled in Tarvin, with Petik coming around off a Catamount error to tie the game. WCU was unable to plate a run in the bottom and the game went into extra innings.
Mary Ellen Morris was placed on second in the top of the eighth and advanced to third off a sacrifice bunt from Courtney Lawton. She scored the go-ahead run when Tera Powell flied out to left for the sacrifice.
The Catamounts placed Amber Kimrey on second in the bottom of the inning. She reached third off a sacrifice bunt to stand in scoring position. Haley Pace flied out to left for the potential sacrifice fly but after making the catch Powell gunned the throw right to catcher Erin Taylor and she quickly tagged Kimrey out at home to preserve the win for PC in dramatic fashion.
The Blue Hose are next in action at Longwood April 26-27. PC faces the Lancers at 2 and 4 p.m., in a doubleheader on Saturday, before playing in a single game on Sunday. The 11 a.m. game will be televised live on ESPN3.
