Winthrop Softball Sweeps Doubleheader From Western Carolina
ROCK HILL, SC—Winthrop scored 12 runs on 23 hits to earn a doubleheader sweep of Western Carolina with a 4-3 win in the first game and an 8-4 win in the nightcap, Thursday evening at Terry Field.
The Eagles even their record at 16-16 while the Catamounts fall to 6-14 overall. Winthrop will be off until Tuesday, Mar. 28 when it heads to Conway, SC for a doubleheader at Coastal Carolina beginning at 1 p.m.
“I thought Kiley (Majette) threw very well today,” said co-head coach Mark Cooke. “I thought we did a good job putting the ball in play, laying down bunts and using our speed to produce runs and take advantage of errors. I also thought we were good defensively.”
Majette struck out a career-high in the first game as she allowed three runs on five hits, walked just one and is now 7-8 on the year.
The game was tied 3-3 in the bottom of the seventh when Paige Haley reached on an error to get things started. Shayna Covinvton grounded one toward third and as she neared first base the throw from Kara Salvo at third base was wide of the bag. The ball went into foul territory in right field as Haley raced around from first to score the game-winning run.
With the game tied 1-1 heading to the bottom of the third, Leah Young put the Eagles on top 3-1 with a two-run tripled to right center. In the top of the 5th the Catamounts tied the game 3-3 as Courtney Price roped a two-run double down the right field line.
In the second game, the Eagles used a five-run second to jump on the Catamounts as Madyson Watson, Haley and Brooke Ellison each drove in a run as the other two runs came on errors.
Western Carolina came right back to post three in the top of the third behind a two-run double down the left field line by Hunter Gibbons and an RBI double from Madison Armstrong.
Leading 6-3 in the fifth, Ashley Westbrooks provided some insurance with a two-run home run to left center. It was her fourth home run of the season.
Watson started the game as she allowed three runs on four this in two innings as Sabrina Shroades tossed 0.1 innings allowing two hits but earned the win in relief to improve to 3-2. Majette tossed the final 4.2 innings allowing one run on five hits and striking out four.
There were 11 different players that got at least one base hit on the day and seven that recorded two or more hits led by Haley’s four.