COLUMBIA, S.C. - Charleston Southern kicked off the 2010 season with a pair of games at the Palmetto State Showdown, dropping a 2-1 loss vs. the USC Upstate Spartans and a 5-4 extra inning loss vs. the Furman Paladins Friday, at Beckham Field. The Bucs went up against some solid pitching, tallying seven combined hits over the double-header.

Megan Lombard was the only player for CSU to record a hit in both games, going 2-6 on the day with two RBIs. Trea Steele and Kristin Kelleher each had a hit and an RBI in the second game, while Jana Matthews sent out a homerun in the first game.

In game one vs. USC Upstate (1-0), CSU (0-2) struggled to get on the board in the cold weather. The Spartans however, posted a run in the first inning, after a pair of walks put runners at first and third. A throw down at second and a fielder's choice allowed Upstate to cross home plate, before the inning ended with an out at first.

Nine straight Buccaneer batters were retired, before Megan Lombard reached base in the top of the fourth on a hit-by-pitch. CSU's best scoring opportunity came after a sacrifice bunt and a walk advanced the runners to second and third. The Bucs couldn't capitalize with runners in scoring position, recording a groundout and strikeout to end the inning.

Upstate used three hits in the bottom of the fourth to add one more run, going up 2-0. Keri Sarratt had an infield RBI single to provide the score, before the inning ended with Vetter's fourth strikeout.

Lombard posted a one-out single in the top of the sixth, for CSU's first hit of the game. Morgan Childers continued to roll for the Spartans however, tallying two more strikeouts to end the inning.

Jana Matthews provided some instant offense in the top of the seventh, sending out a line-drive home run with two outs already recorded. The solo-shot was too little too late however, as a pop up ended the game with a 2-1 score.

Vetter picked up a loss in her first start of the season, giving up two earned runs in six innings of work, while striking out seven. Childers recorded the win, allowing just one run and two hits, while striking out 12 in a complete game.

Game One Box

CSU bounced back with some offense in the second game vs. Furman, posting two runs in the second inning. The Bucs couldn't take advantage of a pair of walks in the first inning, but used two hits for the two runs in the second. A walk and fielder's choice put runners at first and third with no outs. Steele and Melissa Adams both posted RBI singles, giving CSU an early 2-0 advantage.

The Paladins wasted no time, answering with three runs of their own in the top of the third. A couple miscues for the Bucs, including a fielder's choice and illegal pitch, in combination with four Furman hits led to the runs scored.

CSU came up empty in the third and fourth innings, after a lead-off hit by Steele in the fourth. Two strikeouts in each inning kept the Bucs off the board, as they struggled to get their bats going in the early season. The Paladins added one more run in the top of the fifth, using a pair of doubles to go up 4-2.

CSU got the leadoff runner on again in the sixth, after Jessica Peters-Brock reached on an error. A strike 'em out throw 'em out spoiled things for the Bucs however, helping to end the inning after a ground out.

CSU held Furman scoreless in the sixth and seventh, with one last shot at the comeback in the bottom of the seventh. Kelleher stepped up in a pinch hit to start the inning, recording a lead off single. Courtney Konyk reached after that on an error and both runners would advance on a wild pitch. Megan Lombard provided a two RBI single, tying the game at four apiece. The Bucs came up short with two chances to end the game with a walk-off hit, stranding a runner on third and sending the game to extra innings.

With the international tie breaker rule, the Paladins had runners at first and third after a lead-off hit in the top of the eighth. Kimberly Hobbs responded nicely, forcing three pop ups on just three pitches. CSU couldn't take advantage however, with two strikeouts and a fly out to end the inning.

Furman had a go ahead run in the top of the ninth, after a sacrifice bunt and single. The first out of the bottom of the eighth was an illegal substitution for CSU, taking the runner off of second base. The Bucs had two pop ups from there, ending the game with a 5-4 score.

Hobbs picked up the loss for CSU, while Lana Mackey earned the win.

Game Two Box

CSU will look to bounce back when they play Coastal Carolina and the University of South Carolina on Sunday at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively.