HONOLULU, Hawaii – Charleston Southern was unable to overcome Utah's strong performance at the plate and fell to the Utes 5-1 on Friday afternoon at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium. 

Arizona Pilgrim (3-7) went the distance for the Buccaneers (10-17) in the circle, pitching five strikeouts and zero walks in the complete effort.

Stephanie Bergmann led the Bucs at the plate with two singles, while Amanda Matsumoto, Stevi Johnson and Brittany McPherson rounded out CSU's five hits.

Utah (17-4) recorded 12 hits in the contest, highlighted by a home run from Hannah Flippen in the bottom of the first.  The Utes added two more runs in the third frame with singles from Ally Dickman, Delilah Pacheco and Anissa Urtez to lead the Bucs 3-0 after three innings.

CSU left a runner on second in the fourth frame, but McPherson got the Bucs' bats going with a double to left center in the fifth.  Johnson stepped up with two outs and connected for a single to left field to score CSU's first and only run.

Utah responded with big bats in the bottom of the inning and recorded two more runs for the 5-1 lead they would hold for the duration of the contest as the Bucs fell on day three of the Outrigger Resorts Spring Fling.

The Buccaneers now turn their attention to CSU's final two games of the tournament as they prepare to face off with Toledo and Marist on Saturday.  First pitch between the Bucs and the Rockets is set for 3:00 p.m. EST.