CHARLESTON, SC - The Charleston Southern softball team dropped both games of a Saturday afternoon doubleheader against Winthrop, falling 11-1 in game one and 5-3 in game two.

GAME ONE
Winthrop took an early lead, leaving the top of the first inning with a 4-0 advantage. 

Blakley Kingsmore tripled down the left field line, but she was left stranded. In the second inning, Maddie Lee led things off with a single, but was thrown out on a double play.

The Eagles extended their lead to 8-0 in the third inning before Charleston Southern got on the board in the bottom half. Lorenzza Marcacci led off with a triple to center field and later scored on an RBI ground out. Jordyn Dimond followed with a single, and Kingsmore added another base hit, but a double play cut the inning short.

Winthrop added three more runs in the sixth to stretch its lead to 11-1. Dimond recorded another hit in the bottom of the inning, singling through the right side.

Riley Lauffer got the start in the circle, tossing 0.2 innings and allowing four runs. Kinsey Clopton followed with two innings of work, striking out three while giving up four runs. Brenna Conley also saw action in relief, allowing three runs with one strikeout.

GAME TWO
Charleston Southern struck first in the nightcap, taking a 2-0 lead in the opening inning. Dimond and Kingsmore opened the game with back-to-back singles, and Kingsmore swiped a base to move into scoring position. Both runners came around to score on consecutive RBI ground outs. Lee later doubled to left field but was left stranded.

Winthrop responded in the third, cutting the deficit to 2-1, before tying the game in the fourth inning.

Dimond continued her strong day at the plate with hits in both the third and fifth innings, but the Bucs were unable to capitalize.

In the bottom of the seventh, Marcacci led off with a double, and Cadence Walding followed with another double to bring her home, trimming the deficit to 5-3, but the comeback fell short.

Clopton turned in a strong outing in the circle, tossing 6.1 innings with seven strikeouts while allowing four runs. Gianna Deluco and Mackenzie North each recorded an out in relief.

UP NEXT
Charleston Southern returns to action next weekend with a road series at Radford. The Buccaneers will open the series on Friday at 4:00 p.m., followed by a doubleheader on Saturday at 1:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m.

SUPPORT THE BUCCANEERS
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