SoCon Softball, March 23

Cougars Sweep Aggies

Greensboro, N.C. Amanda Cone hit a pair of home runs as the College of Charleston softball team swept North Carolina A&T in a doubleheader in Greensboro, N.C. The Cougars took the first game 4-2 and the second game 12-1 with Natalie Smith pitching a no-hitter.

In the first game Shepherd cleared the bases with a three-run double in the top of the seventh for the eventual game winning runs. Cone put the Cougars up 3-0 in the first inning with a three-run home run down the right field line. Charleston tacked on another run in the fifth inning when Cone doubled in Bridget Loudermilk. The Aggies posted four in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the game up.

In the second game Darcy Johnson, Katie Ballard and Rothey each drove in a pair of runs as the Cougars downed the Aggies 12-1 in five innings. Natalie Smith pitched a complete game for Charleston and improved to 8-3 on the season. Rothey hit a solo home run in the third inning and Cone knocked Rothey home with a fifth inning two run homer.

The Aggies fall to 10-22 and host Savannah State on Saturday and Sunday. Charleston improves to 22-12 and next travels to Elon for a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday to get the Southern Conference season underway.


Coastal Carolina Sweeps Twinbill From Lady Paladins 2-1, 8-4

Conway, S.C. -- Coastal Carolina exploded for five runs in the bottom of
the fourth inning on its way to an 8-4 victory and doubleheader sweep of
visiting Furman Tuesday evening in Conway, S.C.. With the wins, CCU moved
to 13-15 on the season, while the Lady Paladins dropped to 5-28.

In the opening game, Furman got on the board in the top of the first
inning. LaKerah Barr opened the game being hit by CCU starter Danyelle
Gerdts. After a sacrifice bunt moved her to second, Jessica Matthews
singled her home for a 1-0 lead.

The Lady Chants responded in the bottom of the inning with a run of their
own. Katey Allen singled to third base, moved to second on a ground out
and then scored on Kristina Sheppard's single up the middle to knot the
game at one.

CCU got the game winner in the bottom of the sixth, with Allen again being
the spark for Coastal. Allen had a bunt single in the lead-off spot. After
a sacrifice bunt moved Allen to second, Sheppard singled to left field to
put runners on the corners. Kelly Feely then singled to left center to
bring home the game winner.
Gerdts picked up her fourth win in the last five starts and moved to 4-6,
giving up just two hits and striking out seven in the victory.
Rachel Henley took the loss to go to 4-12, giving up six hits while
striking out three.

Coastal kept the momentum going early in the nightcap, pushing across
three runs in the first two innings, with RBIs by Diana Mendez, Sara
Hostetler and Sheppard to build a 3-0 lead through two innings.
Furman fought back with three runs in the top of the third as Megan
Jaudon's single to right field scored both JoDee Eichelberger and Barr.
Matthews followed with a double to left center to score Jaudon and tie the
game 3-3.

The Lady Chants blew the game open with a five-run fifth inning for an
insurmountable lead. Back to back singles by Brittany Nelson and Irene
Finley gave Coastal baserunners at first and second. After a Jennifer
Britton Walk to load the bases, the Lady Paladins looked like they would
get out of the inning after a pair of force outs at home until Hostetler's
walk drove in one run and Delane Oscarson scored on a wild pitch to make
it 5-3.
The big blow of the game came from Sheppard, as her three-run shot over
the center field fence, her fifth of the season, pushed the lead to 8-3.
Furman scored an unearned run in the top of the seventh with two outs, as
Kristin White doubled to left center and then scored on a fielding error
by CCU, but could get no closer.

Nelson advanced her record to 5-6, striking out eight and giving up just
four hits and two earned runs. Goodrich fell to 1-7 after throwing two
innings in relief, giving up five runs and four hits. Starter Erica
Nesselroad pitched four innings for Furman allowing just one earned run
while striking out nine.
White led the Furman attack going 2-for-3 with a double and an infield
single.

Furman opens Southern Conference play Saturday afternoon when it travels
to UNC Greensboro for a 1:00 doubleheader. The Lady Paladins and Spartans
will conclude their three-game series with a single game at 1:00 p.m.
Sunday.