COLUMBIA, S.C. - Morgan Dowdy fashioned a three-hit shutout and Hayes Holdsworth hit her first career home run, propelling CSU to a 1-0 victory over Furman Sunday, Feb. 13 at Beckham Field. The Buccaneers finished the season-opening Palmetto State Showdown at 2-2, winning each of their final two games at the event.

CSU placed third out of six teams entered in the tournament, behind just South Carolina and USC Upstate. Juniors Melissa Adams and Megan Lombard were named to the all-tournament team. Adams hit .500 with two doubles while posting a .583 on base percentage over the four-game tournament. Lombard hit a pair of home runs, adding four RBI and four runs scored on the weekend.

CSU (2-2) posted its first shutout of an opponent since downing Howard 5-0 May 6, 2010, a game in which Sondra Vetter tossed a three-hitter. Sunday vs. Furman, Dowdy pitched her second complete game in a row, and first career shutout, allowing just three hits while striking out three batters.

Furman falls to 0-4 on the season. Lauren Collier went the distance, allowing one run on three hits. All three CSU hits went for extra bases.

Holdsworth, a freshman starting for the first time, went deep in her first career at-bat. Adams went 2-for-2, hitting two doubles. Both players made key catches in the outfield to help preserve the 1-0 margin.

Dowdy struck out three Paladins over the first three innings, holding Furman without a hit through three frames. Collier did not allow a hit until the bottom of the third.

With one out in the bottom of the third, Holdsworth got a hold of a pitch and drove it over the left field fence for a home run. Holdsworth's hit was the first of the game for either team. Adams followed with a double to left-center, but was thrown out trying to advance on a Megan Lombard groundout. The Buccaneers led, 1-0, after three innings.

The Paladins threatened in the top of the fourth, loading the bases with one out. Dowdy threw out Alyssa Williams at the plate after fielding a ground ball for the second out. Holdsworth made a diving catch to end the fourth inning, saving at least one run in the process, and CSU maintained its 1-0 advantage.

Following a scoreless fifth inning, Furman's Hannah Pace sent a drive into the gap in left-center leading off the sixth. Adams dove to secure the catch, and also added a catch on a popup to end the inning.

Adams hit a double to lead off the bottom of the sixth, but the Bucs were unable to push her across the plate.

Dowdy threw a 1-2-3 top of the seventh to secure the 1-0 victory for CSU.

Holdsworth is the first CSU freshman to hit a home run in her first game at the plate since Jana Matthews hit a homer against USC Upstate Feb. 12, 2010.

The Buccaneers return home to Charleston, and will play host to the Buccaneer Invite Friday, Feb. 18 and Saturday, Feb. 19. The tournament opens Friday at 9 a.m., as Ohio takes on Virginia Tech. CSU begins play next weekend against Virginia Tech at 1 p.m. Friday.

Postgame Video - CSU vs. Furman