By Jacob Plecker. GREENVILLE, N.C. — App State Softball split a pair of games Friday to open the Purple-Gold Invitational, starting the event with a 9-0 victory against Saint Joseph’s in five innings.
The Mountaineers dropped Game 2, losing 10-2 to host East Carolina, which improved to 18-2 this season.
App State’s offense powered the victory in Game 1, led by Peyton Darnell drilling a three-run home run in the second inning and reaching base four times. Taylor Thorp (two RBIs), Abby Cunningham (one RBI) and Addie Wray each tallied multi-hit games,
Sejal Neas went all five innings on the mound, allowing six baserunners and striking out six on her way to a second straight shutout.
In Game 2, the Mountaineers (9-7) put 10 runners on base, but eight were stranded as ECU was able to get out of damage multiple times. Thorp and Olivia Cook both provided multi-hit games, and Thorp had one of the two RBIs for App State.
Ava Beamesderfer did a solid job out of the bullpen, picking up two strikeouts in two-thirds of an inning and stranding the bases loaded in the fourth inning.
Up Next
App State continues play at the Purple-Gold Invitational on Saturday with another doubleheader. The Mountaineers will square off with Youngstown State in Game 1, while a rematch with St. Joseph’s caps off the day. First pitch against Youngstown State is slated for 10 a.m.
