Appalachian State

Eliminates Furman, 2-1
From staff reports

MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. – Appalachian State managed just two runs on two hits, but the Mountaineers held the Furman offense at bay in a 2-1 victory in game six of the 2008 Southern Conference Softball Championship at the Patriots Point Athletics Complex.

ASU wasted little time getting on board as Brittany Gaston drove in both Mountaineers’ runs on a two-out RBI single up the middle in the top of the first inning.

Furman pitcher Lana Mackey buckled down the rest of the way by holding Appalachian without a hit for the final six innings. Despite the lack of hits, however, ASU still managed scoring threats in the second and fifth innings thanks in part to seven walks issued by Mackey, including four to the SoCon’s leading hitter Katie Boyd. Mackey fell to 16-26 after absorbing the loss.

ASU’s Kayla Richardson scattered nine hits and Furman left 13 runners on base, including at least one in each inning.

Furman’s Stephanie Cushing led all hitters with a perfect 4-for-4 mark at the plate, including an RBI single in the sixth inning.

Appalachian State (11-36) stays alive in the tournament and will take Chattanooga Friday morning at 10:00 a.m. Furman (21-33) is eliminated from the tournament with the loss, marking the first time since 2004 that the Paladins failed to advance to the final day of competition.