WILMINGTON, N.C. (March 9, 2015) – The Edinboro softball team saved its best for last on Monday of the Shaw Softball Challenge. The Fighting Scots mounted a furious comeback against Barton overcoming a 3-1 deficit in the fifth and sixth innings for a 6-4 win. Edinboro opened the day with a 5-0 loss to Concord and then defeated PSAC West foe Clarion 5-0. The Scots are now 4-2 this season.

Taylor Payne produced in a variety of ways against Clarion. The sophomore pitcher threw a complete game shutout with seven strikeouts and went 2-for-2 at the plate with one run and one RBI. Edinboro's small-ball tactics against Barton fueled the comeback as Theresa Fleckenstein provided what would prove to be the game-winning hit in the bottom of the sixth inning.
 
GAME ONE: Concord 5, Edinboro 0
Edinboro struggled to reach base in the day's opener. Concord's Lacey McDougall allowed only two baserunners – both hits – all game and retired 15 consecutive Fighting Scots from the final out in the second inning until the second to last out of the game. The Mountain Lions scored all five of their runs of that stretch. McDougall added a RBI while Brantlea Wood went 2-for-4 with two RBI.

McDougall moved to 4-0 on the season while Kerri Stevens, who started for Edinboro, fell to 0-1 after pitching 2.1 frames.

 

GAME TWO: Edinboro 5, Clarion 0
After dominating Mansfield on Sunday, Payne fired back with another dominant performance against a PSAC team. The sophomore from Bellwood, Pa. scattered seven strikeouts across her complete game and also provided an offensive prowess.

Edinboro first got on the board with a Haley Struebing sacrifice fly to center field to score Shelby Proctor. The Scots led 1-0 at the end of the first inning.

Payne retired the side in the bottom of the first and followed that with a double down the left field line in the top of the second inning. After advancing to third on a Heather Tighe groundout, Payne scored on a passed ball. She then pitched another 1-2-3 inning, the first and last outs being strikeouts.

The Fighting Scots added two more insurance runs in the seventh inning before Payne retired the side in order for the third time in the game.

Payne improved her record to 2-0. She now has 16 strikeouts in two complete games this season. Paige Baker was credited with a loss after pitching four innings and allowing three runs. She is now 0-2 this year.
 
GAME THREE: Edinboro 6, Benton 4
The Fighting Scots fell behind early but their refusal to back away ultimately led to another victory. Edinboro chipped away at the lead in an impressive comeback effort.

Barton jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning. Abby Sotter struck out the first two batters she faced but the Bulldogs reached on a throwing error with two outs. They then strung together three hits, the biggest being Liz White's two RBI double. Sotter eventually struck out Brittany Jacobs to finish the inning.

The Fighting Scots first six batters were all retired in order but they began to find success in the third inning against White. Fleckenstein singled to left center and Melissa Roseman pinch ran for her, a move that paid off as she advanced to third on a fielder's choice and scored on a throwing error by the shortstop on the same play. Edinboro trailed 3-1 at the end of the third inning.

Kerri Stevens came in to relieve Sotter to begin the fourth inning and did not allow a baserunner over the next two frames.
 

Edinboro knotted the game up in the bottom of the sixth inning. Fleckenstein walked to lead things off and then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Proctor then hit a double deep to left field as Fleckenstein advanced to third base. Kylie Mason laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Fleckenstein and then Laura Crooks did the same to score Proctor. The Bulldogs lead had vanished and the game was tied 3-3.

After Stevens retired the side once again, the Scots would pull ahead. The Scots biggest inning of the day was started off by a Struebing single to centerfield with one out. After the junior first baseman stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error by the catcher, and Brooke Callaghan reached on a fielder's choice, Jessica Hyland drove Struebing in two batters later. Fleckenstein then came up clutch with a single to center field to score Callaghan and Hyland. Edinboro held a 6-3 lead at this point.

Stevens seemed to be cruising through the Barton line-up once again, retiring her first two batters faced. The freshman then ran into trouble as Megan Kelly walked and Taylor Bowden singled. Rachel Jordan's single scored Kelly and moved Bowden to third base. Betsy Braswell then stepped to the plate with runners on the corner and representing the game-leading run. Braswell drove the ball to left center field which required Crooks to cover some ground before making the game-ending running catch.

Stevens picked up her first win of the season while Sotter was credited with a no-decision. White dropped to 2-4 for Barton after pitching all six innings.
 
NEXT UP: Thursday, March 12 vs. Shepherd (DH)
The Fighting Scots are scheduled to face Shepherd next in a doubleheader Thursday night. The games are scheduled for 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m. The Rams are 4-1 after also participating in the Shaw Softball Challenge these past two days.