Barrett homers twice as Softball splits with App State

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BOONE, N.C. - Morehead State softball split its road doubleheader at Appalachian State on Tuesday afternoon. They fell in the first game, 4-2, and then shut out the Mountaineers in the second game, 7-0.

With the split, the Eagles move to 14-10 on the season. App State moves to 7-24.

"Offensively, we didn't create opportunities for ourselves in the first game. In game two, we excelled in all areas. Our offense produced runs and we received another solid pitching performance from Allison (Rager)," said head coach David Williams.

Freshman Ellen Barrett got the scoring started in the first game with a solo home run in the top of the third inning. But, App State responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning and the Eagles trailed 2-1 until the fifth inning when senior Lizzy Margagliotti's sacrifice fly scored Barrett to tie the game.

After the Eagles went down in order in the top of the seventh, sophomore Mackenzie Grossmann gave up a two-run walk-off home run to Cara Parker to end the game.

Grossmann (5-5) picked up the loss after allowing seven hits and four runs, just three of which were earned, in 6.1 innings of work. She walked four and struck out six.

Morehead State managed just three hits off of Appalachian State pitching. Annaleise Kennedy allowed just two hits and two earned runs in 4.1 innings, but recorded a no-decision. Vanessa Ciocatto (5-11) picked up win for the Mountaineers. She allowed just one hit in 2.2 innings.

In the second game, the Eagles finally got their offense rolling in the top of the fourth inning. Following a single by sophomore Robyn Leighton, Barrett delivered her second home run of the day to give MSU a 2-0 lead. Four batters later, senior Tressa Watson doubled to score Margagliotti and freshman Allison Rager.

That would be all the support that Rager (7-2) would need as she pitched her second shutout in her last three games in the victory. It also marked her third straight complete game. The freshman from Elk View, W. Va. allowed just four hits and four walks, while striking out a career-high 10. Her previous high for strikeouts was five against Toledo.

After managing just three hits in game one, the Eagles erupted for ten hits in the 7-0 victory. Sophomore Hannah Murphy joined Barrett by hitting a two-run blast of her own in the sixth inning. 

Watson finished with the only multi-hit game, going 2-for-4 with a double and two runs batted in.

With two home runs on the day, Barrett now has three on the season.

The Eagles return home this weekend for two games against Austin Peay and two with Murray State. They will face the Governors on Friday at 12 and 2 p.m. ET, and then the Racers on Saturday at 12 and 2 p.m. ET.