Rhode Island Starters
Jones (LF); Miller (3B); Bulinsky (DP); Knarr (1B); Orndorff (RF); Torres (SS); Hernandez (CF); Maleitzke (C); Sulkazi (2B); Hibbard (P)
 
Western Carolina Starters
Bell (2B); Marks (LF); Butler (RF); McPherson (3B); Batson (DP); Henry (1B); Harrell (CF); Waitley (C); Dirks (SS); Fulton (P)

How It Happened
Despite getting eight hits on the day, Rhode Island (2-5) could not break through against Western Carolina's Amanda Fulton in a 3-0 loss Friday night.

Fulton (2-1) danced in and out of trouble all night, scattering eight hits and two walks as she went the distance. It was the first career shutout for the freshman.

Rhode Island loaded the bases with one out in the top of the first on three straight singles by Casey Miller, Kylie Bulinski and Katie Knarr. However, a fielder's choice retired Miller at the plate and a line drive to left field by Julianne Torres was caught, ending the threat.

Western Carolina (4-9) took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the third, with both runs coming with two down. Lily Bell hit a one-out double. With two outs, Butler walked, McPherson reached on an infield single that allowed Bell to come around. Another infield single by Batson brought Butler in for the second run.

The Catamounts padded the lead in the bottom of the fifth. With Bell on second and two outs, McPherson lofted a high fly ball that Rhody left fielder Allison Jones appeared the lose track of. The high fly fell for an RBI double as Bell crossed to make it 3-0.

Rhody got a leadoff double from Knarr that slammed off the left field wall. She moved to third with one out, but she was stranded there. With two outs, Hannah Hernandez lined a shot to left, but WCU's Courtney Marks made the diving catch to rob Hernandez of a hit and also prevent the run.

The Rams again threatened in the top of the seventh. Natalie Maleitzke singled up the middle, and Casey Miller slapped a two-out single over the third baseman's head before Kylie Bulinski walked. Katie Knarr again hit the ball hard, but her grounder was right at second baseman Lily Bell, who made the play on to first to end the game.

Inside the Box Score

• Rhode Island had at least one runner on in six of the seven innings, but it was unable to score.
• Each of URI's last four games have been decided by three runs or less.
• Ashley Hibbard (1-1) hurled her second straight complete game. She has a 2.19 earned-run average through three starts. However, Rhode Island has been shut out in each of her last two starts.
• Freshman Katie Knarr had a three-hit game, delivering a double and two singles. Knarr is batting .400 (6-for-15) on the young season.
• Junior Casey Miller singled twice.
• Junior Kylie Bulinski singled and walked.
• Freshman Allison Jones and sophomore Natalie Maleitzke each had one single.
• Freshman Ella Sulkazi made her first career start and walked once.

Up Next
Rhode Island plays two games Saturday at the Catamount Classic. The Rams play North Carolina A&T at 12:30 p.m. and then have a rematch with Western Carolina at 5:50 p.m.