COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Charleston Southern softball team opened the 2011 season against SEC foe South Carolina. The Buccaneers took an early 2-0 lead, but the host Gamecocks stormed back to claim a 10-6 victory Friday, Feb. 11 at Beckham Field.

The Buccaneers record stands at 0-1 following the setback, while South Carolina is now 1-0 after each team's first game at the Palmetto State Showdown. Despite playing against the host institution, CSU served as the home team in the contest.

CSU's Erin Kegley and Megan Lombard each hit a home run, while Lombard and Jasmine Conley registered two hits apiece. Lombard led with three RBI, as the Bucs registered eight hits for the contest.

South Carolina recorded 10 runs on 11 hits, including five extra-base hits. Among those were a two-run homer by Laura Mendes and an RBI triple from Samie Garcia.

Hobbs worked out of trouble in the first inning, stranding runners on first and third after issuing walks to Samie Garcia and Laura Mendes.

Erin Kegley provided CSU with some early power, hitting a two-run home run off of the left-field foul pole in the bottom half of the first. Kegley's blast gave the Bucs a 2-0 lead, plating Kristin Kelleher in the process..

The Buccaneers had a rally going in the second frame, and Megan Lombard stroked a single to center with two outs and two on. Melissa Adams, attempting to score from second, got thrown out at the dish, and the score remained 2-0.

The Gamecocks took the lead with a three-run top of the third. Mendes' homer capped the three-run rally, placing USC in the lead, 3-2.

CSU knotted the game at 3-3 during their ensuing time at bat. With Kelleher and Jana Matthews on base, Trea Steele drove in Kelleher with a single to center.

South Carolina reclaimed the advantage at 5-3 with a two-out, two-run triple by Garcia in the fourth inning.

Following a scoreless CSU half of the fourth, the Gamecocks opened game up with four runs during their next time to the plate to take a 9-3 lead. The first four batters reached base, and Hobbs was replaced in the circle by Morgan Dowdy with one out.

South Carolina tacked on an insurance run in the top of the sixth, as Molly Brossart posted an RBI double.

During CSU's sixth-inning at-bat, Lombard slugged a home run, driving in Conley and Melanie Stickney to pull the Bucs to within four runs at 10-6.

The Bucs were unable to complete the comeback, as USC's Audrey Broyles struck out the side.

Hobbs yielded nine runs on eight hits in four and one-thirds innings pitched. April Borchardt earned the win for USC with two scoreless innings of relief.

The Buccaneers return to action Saturday, Feb. 12 in the second day of the Palmetto State Showdown. CSU will take on USC Upstate at 3 p.m. and will then face Winthrop at 5 p.m. Saturday.