CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston Southern took a doubleheader sweep over the Howard Bison, using 5-0 and 3-2 wins Thursday, at Buccaneer Field. Trea Steele paced the offense three hits, using a late homerun in each game to seal the wins. Jana Matthews also sent out her 12th homer of the year, while Sondra Vetter threw a three hit shutout in game one. With the wins, CSU got over the .500 mark with a 27-26-1 record, while Howard dropped to 21-18 for the season.

Along with the homeruns, Megan Hall added two hits and one run scored in game one for the Bucs. Megan Lombard posted two hits and two runs scored on the day, while Kristin Kelleher and Shayla Cullum each chipped in with an RBI hit. For the Bison, Nicole Saez recorded two hits and two runs scored, for the only Howard runs on the day.

Vetter started in the circle for CSU in game one, managing a one, two, three inning in the top of the first. The Bucs wasted no time reaching the scoreboard, tallying three runs on three hits and one Bison error in the bottom of the first. Hall started with a lead-off single, before a stolen base and fielding error allowed her to score. Lombard also reached base safely with a single down the left field line, setting the stage for Matthews, who sent out a two run shot over the left field fence. CSU couldn't manage anymore offense in the inning, but jumped out to a 3-0 lead after one.

The Bucs tacked on to their lead with a run in both the third and fourth innings to take a commanding lead. Kelleher had a timely hit in the bottom of the third, to score Courtney Konyk and give CSU a 4-0 advantage. Steele kept things going in the fourth, sending out a lead-off homerun, to put the Bucs on top 5-0.

Vetter had a no-hitter going through four innings, retiring twelve straight batters in the process. Saez broke up the perfect game with a lead-off double in the top of the fifth, followed by a Ciera Gordon single. Despite runners at the corners with just one out, Howard could not take advantage, stranding three after a pair of groundouts.

After one more Bison hit in the sixth, Vetter managed to close things out with another one, two, three inning, for a final 5-0 score.
Vetter picked up the win and improved to 9-15 for the year, after allowing just three hits and no runs in a complete game shutout. Carly Martin took the loss and dropped to 8-7, after surrendering seven hits and five earned runs in six innings of work.

Game One Box

CSU held on for a close win in game two, with another outstanding performance from the Buccaneer pitching staff. Kimberly Hobbs got the starting nod in the circle for game two and threw well after getting out of some trouble in the first.

Howard scored their only runs of the day in the top of the first, using a pair of hits and a walk to score two runs. Lorae Robinson started the rally with a single, followed by an Aisha Ledet walk. Saez put the Bison on the board with a two RBI single, before being gunned down at second, to give Howard an early 2-0 lead.

The Bucs bounced back with a run of their own in the bottom of the inning, using back-to-back doubles from Lombard and Cullum to do the damage. CSU evened up the score in the bottom of the second, taking advantage of two Bison errors to score a run. Erin Kegley and Steele reached base safely after a walk and hit by pitch, to put two on with no outs. After another walk by Kelleher, Steele scored the equalizer thanks to a fielding error.

After a blank inning in the third, the Bucs managed to take the lead in the bottom of the fourth. Steele posted another lead-off homerun, which proved to be the eventual game winner. The homer marked her third of the year, to put CSU on top 3-2.
Hobbs settled in after the first inning, throwing four scoreless innings and scattering three hits in that time. From there, Caitlin Allen came in for the save opportunity and delivered with two scoreless innings. Allen held the Bison hitless over the final two innings, to seal the 3-2 win.

Hobbs picked up the win and improved to 10-7 on the year, after allowing five hits and two runs in five innings of work. Allen earned her second save of the season, to tie the single season CSU record. Christina McCoy took the loss and dropped to 5-5, after surrendering five hits and two earned runs in six innings of work.

Game Two Box

CSU will celebrate their two seniors, Megan Hall and Caitlin Allen, when they play their final home games of the season with another doubleheader vs. Howard tomorrow, starting at 9 a.m. With another sweep, the Bucs can clinch the first winning season since 2001.