Box Score Game Box (PDF)
Boone, N.C. – Anna Miller struck out 12 batters and scattered two hits to lead the 24th-ranked USC Upstate softball team to a 1-0 victory over Appalachian State in the Spartans' non-conference finale Wednesday evening at Sywassink/Loyd Family Stadium.
Upstate improved to 41-5 overall and needs just one more win to tie the program's Division I era wins record of 42 set by the 2013 and 2011 squads. The Spartans will take more than a week off for exams before closing out the regular season at A-Sun foe ETSU May 3-4. The Spartans' magic number to clinch the A-Sun regular season championship and No. 1 seed in the A-Sun Tournament is one. Appalachian State fell to 17-26 on the year.
"Anna was lights out," said Upstate head coach Chris Hawkins. "I am so proud of her composure. They really didn't have an answer for her. We got a lot of hits, we just didn't get THE hit to break the game open. I am glad to get this win and look forward to next weekend and ETSU."
Upstate threatened in the top of the first inning. After Shellie Robinson singled to lead off the game, she moved to second on a ground out with two outs. She advanced to third on a wild pitch, but Appalachian State starter Shivaun Landeros got out of the inning with a strikeout.
After two scoreless innings, Upstate cashed in with a run in the third inning to open a 1-0 lead. Lindsay Kelly doubled to begin the inning and pinch runner Lindsey Greeson advanced to third on Aly Schneider's ground out. Robinson followed with an RBI single. The Spartans put runners on second and third with two outs, but Landeros got out of the inning without any further damage on a pop out.
After allowing just one hit in the first three innings, Miller pitched out of a jam in the fourth. Dani Heichen reached second on an error to begin the inning and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt. Miller struck out the next Mountaineer before allowing a walk to put runners on the corners with two outs. Miller then got her second strikeout of the inning, and sixth of the game, to get out of the inning unscathed.
After Miller struck out the side in the fifth, Upstate threatened in the sixth. The Spartans put runners on first and second with back-to-back singles from Dana Landers and Meredith Barnes. However, Landeros got a pop out and a ground out to end the Spartan threat as Upstate took its 1-0 lead to the bottom of the sixth.
Miller retired the side in order in both the sixth and seventh innings, striking out three of the six outs over the two frames. Ranked second in the nation in strikeouts per game, she finished the complete game effort with 12 strikeouts and improved to 15-3 on the year.
Robinson, Barnes and Settlemyre led Upstate at the plate, finishing with two hits apiece. Landeros took the loss for Appalachian State, falling to 9-12.
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