Story Courtesy College of Charleston sports information
College of Charleston 8-6, Charleston Southern 0-2
CHARLESTON, SC - The College of Charleston exploded offensively in two games with Charleston Southern as the Cougars took game one of the doubleheader 8-0 and game two 16-2 Tuesday night at Patriots Point Field.
With the two wins CofC improves to 8-5 on the season with pitchers Amber Havnar (4-1) and Shannon Howard (4-4) earning wins on the day. CSU falls to 3-12-1 on the year with Amanda Noble and Jill Shondel being credited with the losses.
In game one the Cougars used a three-run homer from catcher Jayme Durand to extend a 1-0 lead to 4-0 in the bottom of the fifth. A four-run sixth inning would spell the end for the Lady Bucs as the Cougars would win the game 8-0.
Game two of the doubleheader saw Howard belt her first collegiate homerun, a three-run shot to left that was part of an offensive onslaught by CofC. Renee Francis launched a grand slam as well to help CofC earn the win. The Cougars would score one run in the first, six in the second, and nine in the third to win the game 16-2 in five innings.
In the two games played Renee Francis had a combined four hits in six at bats with four runs batted in. Durand was only 2-5 from the plate but drove in six runs total for the day.
Story Courtesy Furman sports information
Longwood 2-7, Furman 0-6
FARMVILLE, VA - Longwood held on, despite a four-run seventh inning rally from Furman, to claim a 7-6 victory in the nightcap and sweep of its softball doubleheader with the Lady Paladin Tuesday at Lancer Field.
In the nightcap, the Lancers jumped out on top quickly, scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Ryan Washington, who was hit by a pitch, stole second and third base, and then scored on a single by Shamana Washington. Wilson drove home Shamana Washington with a double to center field. Senior first baseman Victoria Masters followed with a double of her own to score Wilson.
Furman cut the lead to 3-2 in the top of the third on a two RBI single to right field by Amber Nelson that scored Stephanie Cushing and Joni Lockridge.
The Lancers put some distance between themselves and the Lady Paladins with a two-run third and a two-run fourth inning. The highlight of the third inning was a solo home run to center field by Masters, while sophomore outfielder Caitlin Hooe cracked a two-run home run to left field in the fourth inning to increase LU's lead to 7-2.
Furman did not fold as it scored four runs in the top of the seventh to put a scare in Longwood. The Lady Paladins had the tying run on third with one out, but senior pitcher Tori Flint got both Abby Robertson and Williams to fly out to left field to end the game.
Senior Jessica Mathis (1-1) suffered the loss for Furman allowing three runs in just two-thirds of an inning in the circle. Joni Lockridge and Steohanie Cushing each collected two hits and scored two runs for the Lady Paladins.
Mills again earned the victory, giving up two runs on five hits, while striking out one in three innings of action.
It was a pitcher's duel in the first game against the Paladins, as Longwood sophomore pitcher Rachel Mills allowed only one hit over the first three innings and Furman pitcher Vanessa Williams allowed only two over the same span.
The Lancers finally got the best of Williams in the bottom of the fourth inning scoring one run to take the lead. Sophomore shortstop Ryan Washington began the inning with a walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by senior outfielder Shamana Washington. Ryan Washington then made it to third on a passed ball and scored after junior catcher/outfielder Pepper cracked single to left field.
Longwood added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth when freshman third baseman Kori Bonnor crossed home plate after Ryan Washington singled to right field.
Mills earned her fourth-straight victory, giving up four hits, while striking out two in seven innings of work.
Williams (3-3) took the pitching loss, giving up two runs, on seven hits, while striking out three and walking one in five innings of action.