Linton Fires Lady Eagles to SAC Title Game in 10-7 Win over Catawba
April 25, 2009
HICKORY, N.C. -- Sophomore pitcher Brittany Linton (Marietta, Ga.) allowed just one run on two hits in 3 2/3 innings of relief work in helping sixth-seeded Carson-Newman hold off fifth-seeded Catawba for a 10-7 victory in the 2009 Food Lion South Atlantic Conference Softball Tournament Saturday afternoon at Bears Field.
With the win, the Lady Eagles (28-15) advance to their second-straight SAC championship game and will face the winner of the loser's bracket final between No. 5 Catawba (25-18) and No. 1 Wingate on Sunday at 1 p.m.
Linton, who improved to 5-2 on the season with the win, entered the game in the bottom of the fourth inning with the bases loaded and C-N leading 7-6. She struck out Erin Witalison (Gold Hill, N.C.) to record the second out of the inning and then was able to get Kathryn Geouge (Canton, N.C.) to ground out to end the threat.
The Lady Eagles went on to put the game away by adding a pair of runs in the fifth and one in the seventh to build a 10-6 lead.
C-N collected 11 hits on the day, including two each from Whitney Durham (Rossville, Ga.), Stephanie Templeton (Ringgold, Ga.) and Amber Palmer (Kennesaw, Ga.). Freshman Mary Shealy (Clinton, S.C.) added a three-run double, while Jessie Howard (Knoxville, Tenn.) and Palmer finished with two RBIs each.
The Indians tallied 10 hits. Ryann Baker (Rockwell, N.C.) went 3-for-5, including two home runs, and had three RBIs. Jessie Whitesides (Yadkinville, N.C.) also contributed three hits in the loss.
Catawba starting pitcher Meghan Cobb (Richmond, Va.) (8-7) was tagged with the loss after surrendering six runs (five earned) on six hits in 5 1/3 innings in the circle.
The Lady Eagles built a 3-0 lead in the top of the first on a three-run double by Shealy.
Catawba answered with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third to trim C-N's lead to 3-2.
Baker led off the inning with a solo home run to left centerfield. Brittany Thornburg (Kings Mountain, N.C.) and Whitesides each added infield singles, while Templeton, who started the game for C-N, walked two in the inning.
C-N added to its lead in the top of the fourth with a four-run outburst.
Whitney Kee (Knoxville, Tenn.) reached base on a fielding error to lead off the inning and later scored on a Palmer double. Brianne Coon (Orlando, Fla.) drew a walk. Howard then stepped to the plate and delivered a two-run single. Templeton drove in the final run of the inning with a bunt single to third base to give the Lady Eagles a 7-2 cushion.
The Indians responded with four runs in the bottom of the fourth to cut C-N's lead to 7-6.
Baker contributed a RBI double in the inning, while Whitesides and Cassie Markham (New Port Richey, Fla.) each produced a run-scoring single. Alli Justice (Bishopville, Md.) brought in a run by drawing a bases loaded walk to pull Catawba to within one, but Linton allowed just one run the rest of the way, a Thornburg solo home run in the seventh, to seal the win for C-N.
