CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston Southern managed a split vs. the College of Charleston Cougars with a 5-2 loss and 4-1 win Wednesday, at Buccaneer Field. The Bucs took five out of six games vs. the Cougars on the season, after four previous wins on the road. Kimberly Hobbs scattered six hits, while striking out a season high seven batters in a complete game win to cap off the doubleheader. CSU moved to 24-24-1 on the year, while C of C also stayed at the .500 mark with a 20-20 overall record.

The Bucs managed just two hits in game one, but both were homeruns, with back-to-back solo shots from Megan Hall and Shayla Cullum. The bottom of the order got the job done in game two, led by Jessica Peters-Brock, who posted two hits and an RBI. The Cougars were led by Kristi Woodall, who tallied three hits, two RBIs and a run scored in game one.

The bats started off slow in game one, with a pair of scoreless innings to start for both teams. C of C came alive at the plate first, reaching the scoreboard in the top of the third with one run on a hit and a CSU error. The Cougars put the lead runner on thanks to a Buc error, and would later score after a sacrifice bunt and RBI single from Woodall.

CSU bounced back with two runs of their own in the bottom of the inning, with a pair of solo homeruns in the inning. Hall started a two out rally, sending the first of two solo homeruns over right field. Cullum made it back-to-back bombs, using another solo shot to right center to give the Bucs a 2-1 advantage.

After another blank inning in the fourth, C of C took back the lead with three runs on two hits in the top of the fifth. A lead off walk and sacrifice bunt put Amanda Maurer in scoring position with Woodall at the plate. Woodall traded places with Maurer to score the first run, sending a double to left center. Kristie Shifflett then provided a two-run homer, to put the Cougars on top 4-2.

C of C added one more in to top of the sixth, thanks to a lead-off homerun from Amanda Lonergan, helping the Cougars to go up 5-2. CSU couldn't get much going in the final innings, with three straight batter retired in the seventh, en route to a final 5-2 score.

Alexa Datko picked up the win to improve to 5-9, after holding the Bucs hitless and striking out three in 4.1 innings of relief. Sondra Vetter took the loss to drop to 8-14, after allowing three earned runs in 4.2 innings of work.

Game One Box

Hobbs started in the circle for CSU in game two, retiring the first three batters in order after one strikeout in the inning. The Bucs couldn't take advantage of a lead off walk in the bottom of the first, keeping the game scoreless through one inning.

Hobbs struck out two more to start the second inning, in another scoreless inning. CSU reached the scoreboard first in the bottom of inning, generating a run after a lead off single for Erin Kegley. A sacrifice bunt advanced the runner, before Jana Matthews tallied an RBI single, to put the Bucs up 1-0.

After another scoreless inning in the third, C of C got on the board with one run in the top of the third. Lonergan had her second lead off homerun of the day, tying things up at one apiece. CSU answered with another run in the bottom of the inning, to go back up 2-1. Kristin Kelleher had a lead off double, followed by a Trea Steele RBI single to score the run.

CSU came up with some insurance runs from there, posting two runs on two hits and a C of C miscue in the bottom of the sixth. Matthews got on base thanks to a fielding error and managed to advance to second on the play. Peters-Brock had some timely hitting, starting a two out rally with an RBI double. Melissa Adams kept it going with another RBI hit, to put the Bucs on top 4-1 heading in to the final inning.

Hobbs continued to throw well for the Bucs, with just two hits over the final three innings to keep the Cougars off the board. C of C had a late hit in the final inning, but the offense was too little too late, as CSU held on for the final 4-1 win.

Hobbs picked up the win to improve to 9-6, after allowing just six hits and one earned run in a complete game. Stephanie Saylors took the loss and dropped to 4-2, after giving up seven hits and two earned runs in 5.2 innings of work.

Game Two Box

CSU will travel to play their final regular season conference series this weekend vs. the Gardner Webb Runnin' Bulldogs, starting with a doubleheader on Saturday, April 24, at 2 p.m.