Concord Defeats West Chester, 3-1, Advances in NCAA Regional

BUCKHANNON, W.Va. – Behind aggressive base running and shutdown pitching from junior Allie Reid, the Concord University softball team won its first ever NCAA Tournament game as it took down West Chester 3-1 at Culpepper Field Friday afternoon.

Reid silenced the WCU bats all afternoon as she surrendered just four hits and one run while striking out four batters in seven innings as the Lovettsville, Virginia native improved to 11-4 on the season.

Before Reid even took to the circle for the bottom of the first inning, Concord offense supplied her with two runs.

CU began the game with two straight walks as senior outfielder Jessica Seymour and sophomore shortstop Alayna Furr reached base. Two batters later, sophomore outfielder Lauren Lewis drove in Seymour on an RBI single to put runners on the corners.



The next Mountain Lions' run came when Lewis stole second and on the throw to second, Furr hustled home.

Concord's third run was also manufactured as junior second baseman Kristen Rose singled and stole second to begin the second inning. Rose moved to third on a groundout to second base by sophomore third baseman Courtney Purtell.

Freshman infielder Emily Fry grounded out to third, and appeared to leave Rose waiting at third, but as the throw from West Chester's Laura Altenburger traveled across the infielder from third, Rose broke for home and slid in safe ahead of the throw from first base.

Trailing 3-0 in the seventh inning, it appeared the Golden Rams were going to make one last run at a comeback after Reid walked the leadoff hitter to begin the inning. However, freshman infielder Alycea Watson started a 5-4-3 double play to put Concord in prime position to win.

WCU received a pinch-hit solo home run from Cat Hammer to draw within 3-1, but Reid struck out Sarah Walasavage to end the game.

Furr led the CU offense going 2-for-2 with a stolen base and run scored.

Concord will play West Virginia Wesleyan 10:00 a.m. Saturday with the winner advancing to Sunday's championship. The loser would play at 3:00 p.m. Saturday.