HAMPTON, Va. – Charleston Southern scored late in extra innings in game one then used the momentum early in game two to complete a doubleheader sweep over Hampton Friday in Big South softball action, claiming the series with one game left. The Buccaneers picked up an eight-inning 4-1 triumph in the opener before adding a 7-2 win in the second contest of the day at the Lady Pirates Softball Stadium.

GAME 1 | CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 4, HAMPTON 1 (8 INNINGS)
A three-run top of the eighth provided the difference in an otherwise low-scoring battle. Charleston Southern (24-26, 10-13 Big South) rallied to score the final four runs after Hampton jumped out in front 1-0.

Neither side was able to scratch across a run until the third inning despite a strong start in the first for the Bucs. Three-straight singles by Raleigh Lewis, SeaEnna Satcher and Madison Koger loaded the bases but they were left stranded, keeping the game scoreless.

In the bottom half of the third, the Lady Pirates started their push with a leadoff double by Lauryn Brooks. She then moved to third as Samyah Richardson laid down a bunt single, putting runners on the corners. A double steal in the next at-bat allowed Brooks to cross home plate, giving Hampton (19-34, 7-18 Big South) the first edge, 1-0.

It stayed that way until the top of the sixth. Satcher led off with a single and moved to second as Koger grounded out. Gracie Prince brought Satcher home in the next at-bat, singling to left center, to even the score at 1-1.

After neither team pushed across any more runs in regulation, CSU took matters into its own hands in the top of the eight. Once again, Satcher led off with a single and moved to third as Koger reached on a fielding error. A Prince sacrifice fly plated Satcher, giving the Buccaneers their first lead of the contest, 2-1.

Weslin Jones followed with a single, keeping two runners on as Koger advanced to second. Ashlyn Cribb also reached on a single, loading the bases for Taylor Gleason. Gleason then reached base on an error by the catcher, allowing both Jones and Cribb to score, although Koger was out on the play. The two runs extended the margin to 4-1 and starter Annah Junge sent the home squad down in order to end the contest.

Satcher put together the top Charleston Southern effort at the plate, batting 3-of-4 with two runs scored. Prince was 2-of-4 as the only other player with multiple hits, equaling Gleason with two RBI.

Junge went the distance in the circle, scattering only four hits while striking out eight. She faced just three over the minimum in the complete game outing.

GAME 2 | CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 7, HAMPTON 2
Riding that momentum from the late-inning push in game one, the Bucs wasted little time in jumping out in front in the second tilt of the day, leaving no doubt. Meckley led off the contest with a four-pitch walk, swiping second base and moving up to third on the play. She then scored the game's first run on an infield groundout.

Three-straight singles by Satcher, Koger and Prince loaded the bases for Jones. The freshman promptly doubled, adding two more Buccaneers across the plate as Satcher and Koger both scored, and Prince moved up to third. Cribb followed with a double of her own in the next at-bat, driving in Prince and Jones, and growing the margin to 5-0. Gleason then became the third-consecutive Charleston Southern (25-26, 11-13 Big South) batter to hit a double, plating Cribb to make it 6-0 and chasing starter Jordyn Scott from the circle.

After a 1-2-3 inning for the Bucs in the second, the Lady Pirates were able to scratch one across in their half of the frame. Kiaya Jeusi opened the stanza with a single before Mo'ne Davis was issued a walk, putting the first-two batters on base. Both advanced another 60 feet as Brooks singled but Jesui broke up the shutout by scoring on a Richardson fly out.

CSU retrieved that run in its next turn up to the plate. Koger reached on an infield error and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt. She then stole third, putting her just 60 feet away for Jones, who added her second hit of the contest to make it 7-1.

Hampton (19-35, 7-19 Big South) countered with another run in the bottom of the third. Tiera Washington hit a leadoff single up the middle. She worked her way over to second on a Kennedi Bedell single in the next at-bat then over to third on a fielder's choice. Emily Kepple was the third Lady Pirate with a single in the inning, bringing home Washington, before the inning ended on a Davis double play featuring Meckley to Prince to Bishop (6-2-3).

The Buccaneers threatened again with a base runner in the fourth and sixth innings but were unable to find a way to bring her home each time.

Gleason capped the contest a perfect 3-of-3 at the plate with one RBI, while Jones was 2-of-3 with a team-best three RBI and a run scored. Cribb was credited with two RBI as seven of the nine batters in the lineup had at least one hit.

Blake Holtorf went the distance in picking up the win in the circle, striking out four and scattering 10 hits. Both of the runs she surrendered were earned.

UP NEXT
The series and regular season concludes Saturday with a single contest left between the two league foes. First pitch is slated for Noon.