CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston Southern went 2-0 in the final day of the CSU Low Country Invitational to claim the tourney championship Saturday, at Buccaneer Field. The Bucs finished the weekend with a 4-1 record after an 8-0 win over NC A&T and a 4-3 championship win over Lipscomb. With the wins, CSU improved to 11-10 to go along with a 9-3 mark at home.

Jamie Wellons was named the tourney's most outstanding pitcher, after a 3-1 record on the weekend, including a 1.42 ERA. Wellons picked up two wins in day two, leading the way in the semi-finals and championship game. She also recorded an RBI for the go ahead run in the final game vs. Lipscomb.

Megan Hall was named the tourney's most outstanding player, after posting eight hits and six RBIs to lead the team in both categories. She also had a .444 batting average, a .538 slugging percent, .500 on base percent and two stolen bases to boot. In the field, Hall recorded 50 put outs with a 1.000 fielding percent.

Also named to the All-Tourney team from CSU were Gail Matsushima and Megan Lombard. Matsushima had a .463 batting average to go along with six hits, four RBIs, and four walks. Lombard led the team with three extra base hits en route to a .438 batting average, 7 hits and 3 RBIs.

The Bucs started the day off right, with a five hit, four run bottom of the first inning vs. NC A&T. Amy Trenkamp provided a triple with just one out and scored on a wild pitch to get CSU rolling. Hall, Matsushima and Brittany York combined for three consecutive singles. York recorded an RBI and Kristin Kelleher stepped up with two more, after a bases clearing double.

The second inning brought another chance to extend the lead, as the Bucs tallied one more run for a 5-0 lead. Megan Lombard and company took advantage of some Aggie miscues, loading the bases after an error, hit by pitch and walk. Matsushima fought off some pitches before reaching base on a walk to send home Lombard.

After a scoreless third inning, CSU added three more in the fourth and fifth to end the game in five. Matsushima provided the only hit of the fourth inning, with an RBI single.

In the fifth, Wellons and Melissa Adams had back-to-back singles with just one out. Trenkamp worked for a walk, loading the bases and setting the stage for junior Megan Hall. Hall continued her clutch hitting in the tourney, providing a walk-off, two RBI single that made the Bucs 8-0 winners.

Wellons picked up her second win of the weekend after allowing just four hits, striking out two and stranding four on base.

Game One Box

In the second game, CSU faced off with the Bison of Lipscomb in the tourney's championship game.

The Bucs got a run on the board to start the game, playing as the visitors in the number two seed. Lombard had a lead-off walk and would later score after a Matsushima RBI double.

Lipscomb however, came right back to answer with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning. Three scoreless innings would follow for both teams, including a great performance from sophomore pitcher, Sondra Vetter.

Vetter allowed no hits while striking out three over those innings, to keep the CSU in the game. The Bison would manage one run in the bottom of the fifth, to take a 2-1 advantage through five.

The bats for the Bucs got going at the right time, as two would score in the top of the sixth. York singled, before a Brittany Giannini RBI double would tie the ballgame. Wellons kept it going and laid down a bunt single for the go ahead run.

An intense championship game came down to the wire and the play in the final inning. CSU came up with a key insurance run in the top of the inning, after a lead-off double for Lombard. Another Matsushima RBI single pushed it out to a 4-2 lead with just three outs needed for the Bucs.

Wellons stepped in the circle, looking to close out the win and the tourney title. The Bison didn't make it easy, posting one run with the tying and go ahead run also reaching base. CSU however held on for the win, and a fitting end saw Wellons record the last out with a throw to first. The Bucs took the 4-3 victory to finished the weekend with a 4-1 record and the 2009 Low Country Invitational Championship.

Game Two Box

The Bucs will have a busy spring break, hosting games on Monday and Wednesday, before traveling to compete in a tournament at Winthrop next weekend.

2009 CSU Low Country Invitational All-Tourney Team

P- Jamie Wellons (Charleston Southern)
P- Whitney Kiihnl (Lipscomb)
C- Mollie Mitchell (Lipscomb)
IF- Megan Hall (Charleston Southern)
IF- Megan Lombard (Charleston Southern)
IF- Gail Matsushima (Charleston Southern)
IF- Allison Lanouette (UNC Wilmington)
OF- Lauren Dortwegt (Lipscomb)
OF- Kelsey Eddinger (UNC Wilmington)
OF- Ryanne Hill (NC A&T)

Most Outstanding Pitcher - Jamie Wellons (Charleston Southern)
Most Outstanding Player - Megan Hall (Charleston Southern)


Tournament Finishes

1st - Charleston Southern - (Defeated Lipscomb in Championship)

2nd - Lipscomb - (Lost to CSU in Championship)

3rd - UNC Wilmington - (Defeated NC A&T in Consolation Game)

4th - NC A&T - (Lost to UNC Wilmington in Consolation Game)