CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston Southern took a 10-6 win and tied 2-2 in their home openers vs. the Campbell Camels Tuesday, at Buccaneer Field. CSU exploded on offense in game one, posting runs early and often, before a late running second game ended with a 2-2 tie. CSU improved to 3-2-1 on the young season, while Campbell dropped to 1-2-1.

Erin Kegley solidified her spot as the cleanup hitter, with three hits on the day, including two home runs and five RBI. Megan Hall also shook off the rust, posting three hits, four runs scored and a RBI. Jana Matthews and Melissa Adams both chipped in with two hits and two RBI a piece. The Camels were paced by Lauren Stephan with four hits and four RBI on the day.

CSU had the bats working early on in game one, posting three runs in the bottom of the first inning. Hall reached base first thanks to a walk and would later score after an error from Campbell. Kegley took advantage of the Camel miscue, sending out a two-run homerun to give the Bucs an early 3-0 lead.

After Campbell couldn't take advantage of a CSU error in the second, the Bucs added three more in the bottom of the inning. Three consecutive singles led to a Hall RBI hit up the middle posting the first run. After another Camel error and a wild pitch, CSU generated the second run of the inning, thanks to Lombard crossing the plate. From there, Kegley posted her third RBI of the game with a sacrifice fly, to put the Bucs on top 6-0.

Campbell recorded their first hit in the top of the third, trying to start a two out rally with a double from K. Hinton. Sondra Vetter continued to pitch well however, forcing a groundout to end the inning. After a one, two, three inning for CSU the Camels looked to get things going in the top of the fourth with a lead-off double. A single through the left side from T. McGee put runners at the corners with no outs. Vetter and the Buccaneer defense held up again however, with three consecutive ground outs to end the inning.

CSU looked to put the game out of reach, with more offense in the bottom of the fourth, posting two runs on three hits. After Lombard and Hall reached base on singles, Kegley loaded the bases with a walk. Matthews came up with a two-out two RBI single through the left side that scored Hall and Lombard, for an 8-0 CSU advantage.

The Bucs had a chance to end things in the fifth, but Campbell found some offense of their own, recording three runs in the top of the inning. A three run homerun from Stephan did the trick, putting the Camels on the board for the first time. CSU answered with two more in the bottom of the fifth, thanks to a double from Adams that provided two runs.
The sixth inning was a blank for both teams, while Campbell couldn't convert on two hits in the inning. The seventh and final inning got a little sloppy, as the Camels took advantage of three CSU errors to post three runs on three hits. Vetter eventually recorded the final out, to take a 10-6 win in game one.

Vetter picked up the win, throwing a complete game and allowing three earned runs and striking out three. Brittany Arnn received the loss in her first collegiate start, after allowing six earned runs in three and two thirds innings work.

Game One Box

The second game featured less offense, ending with a final 2-2 score, as the game was called due to lack of daylight. The Bucs got on the board first in game two as well, thanks to a Kegley lead-off home run in the second inning.

Campbell generated a run in the top of the fourth, after a pair of singles had players at the corners. A double steal ended with Christina Melton crossing home plate, to even the score at one apiece. The Camels tacked on another run in the fifth, thanks to an RBI single from Stephan.

CSU came back to tie the game in the sixth, starting with a leadoff double from Hall. Hall would advance to third on a wild pitch, before scoring thanks to another Kegley hit. CSU managed to hold the Camels scoreless after a pair of hits in the seventh, but couldn't get anything going in the bottom of the inning. The game ended with a final 2-2 score at 6:22 p.m.

Kimberly Hobbs played well in the circle for the Bucs, scattering eight hits over seven innings and striking out two. It was a no decision for both pitchers, with Christina Melton throwing five innings and allowing three hits and one run for Campbell.

Game Two Box

CSU will be back at home this weekend as they welcome the likes of Youngstown State, Louisville and St. Johns to Buccaneer Field to compete in the CSU Invitational. The Tournament starts on Friday with CSU playing their first game vs. Youngstown State at 2 p.m.