CHARLESTON, S.C. - Jessica Peters-Brock hit a grand slam in the final game at the CSU Invitational, helping Charleston Southern to take a 9-4 win over the No. 15 ranked Louisville Cardinals Saturday, at Buccaneer Field. CSU (5-4-1) split on the day with a 4-2 loss vs. Big East member St. John's (4-1), before taking the dramatic win over Louisville (7-2) in the Tourney finale. The victory marks the first win over a ranked opponent, since CSU defeated No. 18 Virginia Tech 6-0 on February 19, 2008.

Peters-Brock had two hits on the day for five RBI, but none bigger than her grand slam home run in the bottom of the fifth vs. the Cardinals. Three Buccaneer players recorded three hits on the day, including Megan Lombard, who had three RBI, two runs scored and a solo homerun. Megan Hall and Shayla Cullum chipped in with three hits, one RBI and a double for each.

In game one, both teams had the lead-off hitter on base in the first inning, but couldn't manage any runs. Kimberly Hobbs got out of a jam for CSU after a lead-off hit, taking three consecutive groundouts from the Red Storm. Lombard was walked in the bottom of the inning, but later caught stealing, before a pair of strikeouts from the Bucs.

St. John's got on the board in the second inning, using three hits and a CSU error to score a pair. Another lead-off hit got things started, followed by a two-out single from Julia Sanchez that produced the first run. A pop up to center field should have ended the inning, but the Red Storm took advantage for an early 2-0 lead.

The Bucs bounced back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning however, tying things up at two apiece. CSU had bases loaded with no outs, thanks to three consecutive walks. Lombard had the first hit of the inning, using an infield single to score a run. The Bucs managed one more after a wild pitch from Kat Lawrence, but had back-to-back strikeouts to end the inning.

St. John's came back in the third, to post two runs for the second consecutive inning. Three more hits did the job, with an RBI hit coming from Kristi Cady.

Both teams posted zeroes across the board from there, with CSU struggling to get the bats going. The Bucs would strand four on base in the final four innings, but remain scoreless in that time. The Red Storm held on for the final 4-2 win, after holding a high powered CSU offense to just three hits.

St. Johns had some solid pitching from Lawrence, who had an impressive 15 strikeouts, while allowing just three hits and two earned runs. With the win, Lawrence improved to 2-0 on the year. Hobbs picked up the loss to move to 1-3, after allowing seven hits and giving up three earned runs.

Game One Box

After a tough 2-1 loss vs. Louisville in the first meeting, the stage was set for a big CSU finish at the CSU Invitational. The Bucs did not disappoint in front of the home crowd, posting nine hits and nine runs for the game.

Game two started off with solid defense from both teams, with Sondra Vetter recording a strikeout to start the first inning, before all three CSU batters were retired in order in the bottom of the inning.

The Cardinals posted the first run of the game in the second, using a two out rally to get on the board. An Alecia Wolny double followed by a Kristin Austin RBI single did the damage, giving Louisville an early 1-0 advantage. The third inning was another blank for both teams, before the Cardinals tacked on two more to their lead. A Melissa Roth two RBI single scored the runs, helping Louisville to go up 3-0.

Kristen Wadwell had a no-hitter going in to the bottom of the fourth, but it was broken up by Cullum, who had a blooper hit over the pitcher. After Kegley was hit by a pitch, Peters-Brock took advantage with her first RBI of the game, sending a single up the middle.

After Vetter got through the top of the fifth quickly, CSU lit up the scoreboard in the bottom of the inning. Kristin Kelleher started the inning with a single, before Lombard, Hall and Cullum all registered RBI singles, to put the Bucs on top 4-3. Louisville made a pitching change at that point, bringing in Tori Collins in relief. Kegley was hit by another pitch to load the bases for Peters-Brock. Peters-Brock delivered in a big way sending out a homerun over the right field fence. With the grand slam, CSU jumped out to an 8-3 advantage through five innings.

The sixth inning showed a pair of runs for both teams, starting with an RBI double from Roth of Louisville. The Bucs were able to answer in the bottom of the inning however, thanks to a Lombard solo homerun. CSU wrapped up a 9-4 win in the top of the seventh, with Vetter retiring three batters in order, capped off by her seventh strikeout of the game.

Vetter took home the win to improve to 3-1 on the season, after a complete game, eight hits and three earned runs. Wadwell received her first loss of the season after six earned runs in four and a third innings work.

Game Two Box

CSU will be back in action, on the road vs. the College of Charleston on Tuesday, February 23, at 4 p.m.