Texas A&M 6, College of Charleston 4

Louisiana-Lafayette 16, College of Charleston 0

ORLANDO, Fla. – The College of Charleston softball team dropped a pair of games to two top-15 teams in the second day of the Citrus Classic at the ESPN Wide World of Sports on Saturday afternoon. The Cougars had a late comeback effort thwarted in a 6-4 loss to No. 9 Texas A&M, and were overwhelmed in a 16-0 falling to No. 13 Lousiana-Lafayette.

CofC (7-6) concludes play in the Classic with a pair of Sunday-morning games, a 9.a.m. contest against Georgetown and an 11:15 a.m. bout with Hofstra.

COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON: 4, TEXAS A&M: 6

After falling behind early, the Cougars surged back to life with a four-run rally in the seventh and put the tying run on base, but the Aggies’ six-run cushion was too large and the Cougars eventually dropped the contest.

By the time the dust settled, the Cougars had outhit the Aggies, 9-8, but were doomed by nine stranded baserunners.

The Aggies started early, drawing a pair of first-inning walks and then cashing in with a two-RBI double into right center from Jenna Stark.

In the third, they put their first two aboard by way of a Cougar fielding error and a Cali Lanphear double which put runners on second and third without any outs. Back-to-back groundouts to shortstop would score both runs, and then Amber Garza hit a solo homerun to make it 5-0.

Valerie Cassell (Edison, N.J.) entered the pitching circle in the third inning, and in the fourth an infield single, throwing error and base on balls loaded the bases without the ball leaving the infield. The Cougars would attempt to get the lead runner on a one-out grounder, but another throwing error allowed the run to score. Cassell would then strike a hitter out and force a groundout to limit the damage, but the score was already 6-0.

The Cougars, after stranding two in the fourth and leaving the bases loaded in the fifth, finally created timely hitting and attempted to come all the way back in the seventh.

After Lizzy Vaughn (Placerville, Calif.) reached on a fielding error to start the inning, Mueller’s two-run blast to right center breathed life back into the Cougar dugout. Carly Corthell (Reno, Nev.) followed with a bunt single, and Ashton Jarrett (Hanahan, S.C.) hit a groundball which the Aggies would attempt to get Corthell out at second on; but Corthell’s speed left them without a play. Kelsey Hodgson (Woodstock, Ga.) doubled to left center to cut the deficit to 6-4, but back-to-back strikeouts would prove the comeback effort to be too little, too late.

COLLEGE OF CHARLESTON: 0, LOUISIANA-LAFAYETTE: 16

In the night cap, the Cougars had no answer for Ragin’ Cajun pitchers Kristen Martinez and Jordan Wallace who combined to throw a five-inning no hitter.

The Ragin’ Cajuns did all their offensive work in two outbursts, a five-hit, six-run second and then an eight-hit, 10-run fourth.

They enjoyed production throughout their lineup, getting hits out of 10 different players and RBIs out of eight. Shellie Landry and Sarah Draheim were the most prolific and good for three RBIs apiece.

The Cougars only reached three baserunners in the contest, all of which came when they loaded the bases in the third inning but couldn’t get a run to the plate. Vaughn and Mueller drew walks and moved up a base on a Courtney Clark (Tampa, Fla.) sacrifice bunt to put runners on second and third with one out. Corthell then reached on a fielder’s choice and both runners retreated to their bases after a rundown, but then three groundouts ended the threat.

Kennesaw State 6, Georgia Southern 2

Georgia Southern 3, FIU 2

STATESBORO, GA. – Georgia Southern Softball earned a split in the second day of the 2013 Eagle Classic, falling 6-2 to Kennesaw State before taking a walk-off 3-2 win over Florida International in the second game of the day. GSU is back in action on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. against South Carolina in the finale of the 2013 Eagle Classic.

- GAME ONE –

Kennesaw State took the 6-2 win over the Eagles to open Georgia Southern’s second day at its’ home tournament. The Owls did all their scoring in the fifth inning, posting six runs off a pair of hits and four GSU errors as all six runs went down as unearned.

With their backs against the wall in the seventh, Georgia Southern cut the lead to four with a two-run Tabby Douberley home run. The senior pounded her second home run of the season and fifth extra base hit of the campaign for two runs in the bottom of the seventh.

- GAME TWO –

Three unanswered runs in the final four innings were enough to give Georgia Southern the walk-off win over Florida International in game two. The Panthers went out to an early lead, but two runs in the fourth and a run in the seventh helped the Eagles steal the win.

The Panthers got an early jump on the Eagles in game two with a first inning run. A double to left followed by a single through the right side plated the run in the opening frame. An error with one out in the third inning opened the door for FIU to add to their lead. A single through the right side with runners on the corners made the score 2-0.

In the fourth inning Andrea Tarashuk cut the lead in half with a single to third base with the bases loaded and two outs. Freshman Lindsey Wilcox was hit by a pitch later in the inning to push in the tying run.

Alexa Lewis opened the seventh inning with a leadoff single and reached second on a Lexi Allen sacrifice bunt. A ground out by Kourtny Thomas brought the winning run to third base with two outs in the inning. A fielding error by the FIU second baseman allowed Lewis to score and give the Eagles the come-from-behind 3-2 win.

Brooke Red picked up her second victory for Georgia Southern this season in the pitching circle. She went the distance and struck out five batters and improves to 2-1 on the year.

Georgia Southern wraps-up the 2013 Eagle Classic on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. against South Carolina. The final day of the tournament, which features three games, starts at 10 a.m. with Kennesaw State facing Alabama State.

Florida State 8, Appalachian State 7

Florida State 3, Appalachian State 0

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. ¬- Appalachian State University softball dropped two games to No. 25 Florida State on Saturday afternoon. The Mountaineers fell 8-7 in game one before falling, 3-0, in the second game, which also served as the first game of bracket play at the tournament.

Game One: Florida State 8, App State 7

No. 25 Florida State took the early lead over Appalachian as it got of to a fast start with a leadoff double to right center from Victoria East. East gave the Seminoles the 1-0 lead when she touched home on a throwing error by App State to score the unearned run.

FSU added two more runs in the bottom of the first inning to take a quick 3-0 lead over the Mountaineers.

Florida State extended its lead to four when it put runners on second and third with no outs. Kirstin Austin came around to score on a groundout to shortstop to take the 4-0 advantage over App State in the bottom of the second inning.

Courtney Senas gave the Noles the 6-0 lead over the Apps when she hit a double that bounced off the left center field fence, knocking in two runs.

The Mountaineers put two runners on base in the top of the third inning when freshman Pepper Butler was hit by a pitch and Sarah Warnock singled through the right side of the infield to put runners on first and second with no outs.

The Apps pushed their first run across the plate when Dani Heichen reached first on a throwing error that allowed Butler to score from third.

Junior Lindsay Loudermilk stepped in to the box with runners on second and third and hit a two-run double over the center fielder's head to bring Appalachian within three of the Seminoles.

Florida State capitalized on an App State error and a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the third inning as it took the 8-3 lead into the fifth inning.

Sophomore Caroline Rogers led off the fourth inning with a single up the middle and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by freshman Kristen Terry. Pinch hitter Ellie Manriquez drove her first career hit past the shortstop to move Rogers to third base with one out, but Appalachian was unable to capitalize on the opportunity as the final two batters of the inning were retired.

Rogers looked to start another rally for the Apps as she led off the sixth inning with a walk and advanced to second on a groundout. Rogers advanced to third when pinch hitter Whitney Johnson picked up her first hit of the season.

Warnock doubled down the right field line to score Rogers and move Johnson to third with only one out in the top of the sixth. Florida State was able to turn a double play to close out the inning as the Apps trailed, 8-4.

After a hit batter and two walks, Appalachian loaded the bases with no out in the top of the seventh before Florida State pulled pitcher Bailey Schinella. The Mountaineers scored one run when Alex Sohl reached first on a fielder's choice, allowing Meghan Smith to score.

Terry had a short hit back to the pitcher, to score Loudermilk and make the score 8-6 with two outs. Cynthia Gomez dug in with two outs and runners on first and third before hitting a single to shortstop that would allow the Apps to come within one of the Seminoles.

Florida State was able to get the final out the inning before the Mountaineers could push anymore runs across to pick up the 8-7 victory over Appalachian.

Loudermilk led the way for App State at the plate as she recorded two hits in three at-bats with two runs batted in, while Warnock had two hits and one RBI in and Sohl, Terry and Gomez each knocked in a run.

Katherine Johnson suffered the loss in the circle for her first decision of the season as she pitched 1.1 innings, while Shivaun Landeros came in on relief to pitch 4.2 innings, giving up only three hits.

With the loss the Mountaineers fall to 3-5 overall on the season, while the Seminoles improve to 10-8 overall on the season.

Game Two: Florida State 3, App State 0

The game was deadlocked at 0-0 until Florida State broke open the scoreboard in the top of the fifth inning as it scored its first run on a single up the middle from Courtney Senas.

Senas advanced to third on an Appalachian error and would scored when Kelly Hensley hit her fifth homerun of the season over the center field fence, giving FSU the 3-0 lead.

The Black and Gold looked to get on the scoreboard in the bottom of the fifth inning as Ashley Seering doubled off the right field fence, but the Apps were unable to get her across the plate as they trailed, 3-0 through five innings.

The Mountaineers could not get a run on the board in the second game against the Seminoles as they fell 3-0 in their first game of bracket play.

Loudermilk, Warnock, Rogers and Seering each added a hit for Appalachian, while pitcher Alissa Schoelkopf (1-3) suffered the loss in the circle pitching her third complete game with three strikeouts.

With the loss Appalachian State falls to 3-6 overall on the season, while Florida State improves to 12-8 overall on the season.

The Apps will be back in action on Sunday, Mar. 3 when they play the loser of the Southern Miss/Troy game. The consolation game is slated to start at 9 a.m.

Western Carolina 3, Drexel 2

Wichita State 4, Western Carolina 0

MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. – Western Carolina softball (6-9) split day two action at the Coastal Carolina Tournament defeating Drexel 3-2 and falling to Wichita State 4-0.

The Catamounts snapped a six-game losing streak with the one run, 3-2, win over Drexel. Sophomore pitcher Jordan Garrett came into the game, in relief, tossing 5.1 innings and pick up the win. Garrett one run, on five hits, and struck out 10. She improves to 4-5 on the season.

Senior Amber Steinhardt started the game for Western Carolina but after getting into a jam in the second inning. After getting two quick outs, Steinhardt allowed three straight hits, including an RBI double, to give Drexel the lead. Garrett came into the game, with two outs and runners on first and third, and struck out Drexel’s Hanna Parrish to end the inning.

Western Carolina tied the game at one in the fourth inning. Freshman Taylor Sigmon led off with a single up the middle. Steinhardt followed with a walk. With two outs, Drexel pitcher Shelby Taylor gave up a walk to Megan Crowe to load the bases. Taylor offered up the third walk of the inning to Kayla Meyers to walk in a run, scoring Sigmon.

The Catamounts would get a pair of insurance runs in the fifth inning. With one out, senior Shemekia Scotton singled to left center and moved to third off a double by Sigmon. For the second straight inning Steinhardt drew a walk, and for the second consecutive inning, the Catamounts found themselves with the bases loaded. Haley Pace sent Scotton home an on RBI single through the left side to keep the bases loaded. With two outs, Drexel pitcher Taylor walked in the second inning of the game, when she walked Crowe scoring Sigmon.

The walk issued by Drexel’s pitcher Taylor would be costly as it was the key run the Catamounts would need to insure the win. Drexel attempted a rally in the top of the seventh inning when Maggy Fermo led off with a walk and would eventually score thanks to an RBI single by Comfort Ahonkhai to cut the Catamount lead to one, 3-2.

Garrett logged her 10th strikeout of the game to end the Drexel threat when she ended the game forcing Sylvia Llamas to strikeout swinging. Garrett now has 79 strikeouts this season.

Sigmon and Pace each had a pair of hits in the game.

Wichita State used an explosive sixth inning, scoring four runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, to end a scoreless game and shut out the Catamounts in the final game of day for Western Carolina.

Freshman Mallory Broome went the full six innings in the game and takes the loss, falling to 1-2 on the season. Broome tossed five innings of scoreless ball before Wichita State unleashed for the four runs. She ended the game with three strikeouts, three walks and allowing five hits.

Western Carolina had just four hits in the game and committed one error. Three times Western Carolina had runners in scoring positions with doubles by Heather Chastain, in the third, Scotton in the fourth, and Amber Kimrey in the sixth inning. Chastain and Kimrey were each stranded at third.

The Catamounts will face Drexel at 11 a.m. and host Coastal Carolina at 1 p.m. Sunday in the final day of the Coastal Carolina Invitational.

Mercer 3, Chattanooga 2

Chattanooga 8, Mercer 2

MACON, Ga. - The Chattanooga Lady Mocs advanced to the Mercer Bear Classic championship game Saturday afternoon in Macon, Ga. with an 8-2 win over the hosting Bears. Despite falling 3-2 during their first matchup of the day to Mercer, Chattanooga rebounded with an offensive outburst in the second meeting between the two teams.

Sophomore Taylor Deason (Clarksville, Tenn.)appeared to be in midseason form, tossing seven innings and allowing just one earned run to the Bears. Deason received offensive support with 16 hits- six coming from freshman Anyssa Robles (Lawrenceville, Ga.) and senior first baseman Kasey Tydingco (Fairfield, Calif.) as they were both 3-for-4 at the plate.

Chattanooga 2 - Mercer 3

Despite a low offensive turnout in the first game, Chattanooga held Mercer scoreless through six innings. Kaisey Carson (Indianapolis, Ind.) was credited with six innings, allowing only four hits and two earned runs to the Bears, while Rachel Albritton (Murfreesboro, Tenn.) came out to pitch to one batter.

The Lady Mocs took a 1-0 lead in the top of the fourth inning after stringing together a couple of hits. A double from Sarah Beth Roberts (Mt. Juliet, Tenn.) led off the inning and Tydingco followed up with a single down the right field line to advance Roberts to third. A groundout from Jenny Garcia (Miami, Fla.) drove in Roberts to put UTC on the board.

Both teams were scoreless in the fifth inning and Chattanooga was kept quiet in the top of the sixth, but Mercer made its move in the bottom half of the sixth to take a 3-1 lead. Bear's catcher Sarah Santana was hit by a pitch and shortstop Krista Kennedy singled to right, but Santana was thrown out while trying to advance to third base. Appearing as if UTC had caught a break, a single from first baseman Ashton Holt boarded two.

Carson was pulled for Albritton as the Murfreesboro native was brought on to face Rachel Huggins, but the outfielder teed-off on a three-run shot over the centerfield fence to give Mercer its 3-1 lead.

The Lady Mocs gave one last effort in the top of the seventh inning as Tyler Templet (Woodstock, Ga.) reached on a fielder's choice and Sara Poteat (Thomaston, Ga.) tripled with two outs to score the junior, but the one run was all Chattanooga could muster up.

Carson was charged with the loss, falling to 1-2 on the season, while only five Lady Mocs recorded hits. Junior Kaiti Dutton (Tulsa, Okla.) saw the ball well, going 2-for-3 at the plate, but Poeat, Robles, Roberts and Tydingco were the only other UTC to reach on a batted ball.

Chattanooga 8 - Mercer 2

Chattanooga rebounded in the second game with 16 hits and five scoring innings, seeing a multi-hit game from six different Lady Mocs. Along with Robles' and Tydingco's three hits, Poteat, Alyssa Taylor (Orange, Calif.), Roberts and Stephanie Rieck (Chandler, Ariz.) each recorded two hits.

Deason earned her eighth win of the season during the five-strikeout performance. The sophomore allowed only one earned run and two runs to score over seven innings.

UTC got on the board first in the second inning as freshman Amanda Ross (Torrance, Calif.) singled to first base. Templet advanced to second on the play, but an error by first baseman Holt allowed Dutton to score from second base.

Chattanooga added to the lead in the third with two more runs, pushing it to a 3-0 game. Hits from Taylor and Roberts put two on and a single from Tydingco in following at-bat drove in Taylor. Roberts later scored on Rieck's single up the middle.

Two more runs came around to score in the fourth as Chattanooga took a 5-0 lead. On two outs, Poteat legged out a single to the pitcher to get the ball rolling. Taylor singled to left on a bloop over the shortstop's head and Robles followed up with a double to right to score both runs.

A two-run fifth inning led to a 7-0 lead for the Lady Mocs. Tydingco doubled down the right field line to lead off the inning and a single from Dutton - her third hit of the day - scored Tydingco from third. A single from Poteat later scored Dutton to extend the Chattanooga lead.

The Lady Mocs capped their scoring in the top of the sixth inning after allowing Mercer to score two runs in the bottom of the fifth. Collecting three hits in the inning, UTC scored once more on a fielder's choice off the bat of Rieck to push Roberts across the plate.

Chattanooga takes on Northern Kentucky Sunday at 2 p.m. in the championship game of the Mercer Bear Classic. Chattanooga is 1-0 over the Norse this season, winning its first matchup with NKU Friday with a 2-1 victory.