CHARLESTON, S.C. – Charleston Southern softball opened its seven-game homestand in style Wednesday, sweeping a doubleheader against South Carolina State at CSU Softball Complex, on the strength of five total home runs and a shutdown pitching performance in game two. The Buccaneers claimed a 7-1 triumph in the first game before needing only five innings in the night cap in the 12-0 shutout.

GAME 1 | CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 7, SOUTH CAROLINA STATE 1
The Bucs left no doubt they were hungry to continue their win streak, as they jumped out in front with a four-run first inning and never looked back. Ashley Meckley was the first to reach base, on a one-out double and then she stole third to stand 60 feet away from home plate. Raleigh Lewis was walked, putting runners on the corners. Then, Lilly Bishop sent a home run over the left-center fence, clearing the bases and putting CSU on top, 3-0. It was Bishop's first homer of the campaign.

The offense continued, as a hard-hit ball to shortstop allowed SeaEnna Satcher to arrive at first base. She advanced to second on a ground out and then came in as the inning's final score on a Lexi Markle double to the wall in left.

Starting pitcher Baylee Eaton continued to shut down any threat South Carolina State (3-21) attempted, as she worked out of a one-out situation in the top of the second when the Bulldogs had a runner on third base.

Neither team scratched any more runs across until Charleston Southern (13-17) cranked its offense back up in the home half of the fourth frame. Rhiana Hubbard reached on a walk then moved to second on a fielder's choice. Taylor Gleason then came in as a pinch runner and scored on the ensuing at-bat, as Ashlyn Cribb doubled into the left-field corner. Weslin Jones, who also was on base, scored from third as a fielding error in short rightfield by the SCSU second baseman kept the ball in play after a pop-up out, growing the lead to 6-0.

The advantage grew to 7-0 in the bottom of the fifth as Erika Cooper singled and moved to second on a ground out back to the circle. Lexi Markle singled to the left-center gap and Cooper raced around to score for the final Bucs run of the contest.

The Bulldogs then scored their only run of the day in the top of the sixth. Jade Hendricks, the starting pitcher, helped her own cause with a leadoff double. She moved to third on an infield ground out and then scored as another infield ground out resulted in a second-straight out at first.

Six different Buccaneers had at least one hit with Markle packaging the only multi-hit effort with two in her three at-bats. Brittany Cothran also came in as a pinch hitter late, her first action of the campaign.

Eaton went the distance, striking out three and scattering the six hits over 7.0 innings, for her third win of the spring.

GAME TWO | CHARLESTON SOUTHERN 12, SOUTH CAROLINA STATE 0 (5 INNINGS)
Much like the first game, the next contest also yielded a strong start for the Bucs as they tallied six runs in the first inning. Gracie Prince led off with a solo shot to left center. Meckley then followed her same routine, a double and stolen base of third before scoring as Lewis singled to right. After she advanced to second on a Zarria Smith wild pitch, Cribb relieved her as a pinch runner. Cribb then scored as Bishop belted her second home run of the day, and season, to almost the same spot as her first bomb to make it 4-0 once again in the first inning.

Charleston Southern (14-17) continued to add offense with a Madison Koger double. She also moved up a base on another Smith wild pitch and then scored when reliever Breyanna Collins tossed one to the backstop. Markle, who had reached on a walk, advanced to second on the Collins wild pitch and then came home when Weslin Jones singled up the middle as the final run in a 6-0 outburst.

Collins helped her cause, as the South Carolina State (3-22) reliever singled down the left-field line with two outs in the top of the second. It would stand as the Bulldogs' only hit until the fifth inning as CSU starter Maggie Carpenter worked brilliantly in the circle.

The home offense continued in the bottom of the second. Cribb flipped the switch with a single to right. She then scored as Satcher homered to make it an 8-0 contest. Blake Holtorf then came in as a pinch hitter for Koger and she also walked. Markle went to the deepest part of the park for her home run in the next at-bat, bringing in two more runs for 10-0 lead.

Charleston Southern poured on its final two runs in the bottom of the third frame. Meckley worked a leadoff walk, advancing to second on an infield ground out. She then scored when Cooper doubled. Cooper moved to 60 feet away on a passed ball then scored when Holtorf singled to left center to provide the final run of the season-high dozen.

Carpenter continued to send the visitors down in order until the top of the fifth when Julie Manners, another pitcher who came into the game for SCSU, singled to left center with one out. She was left at first as the next two batters each popped up to infield positions, ending the game two innings early.

Nearly every CSU batter registered at least one hit with Cribb and Jones each having two, while nine different Buccaneers scored at least one run. Carpenter went the distance for her first career victory in the circle, giving up just two hits while striking out seven. She faced four over the minimum in her 5.0 innings.

OFFENSIVE NUMBERS
The Bucs bats came alive in game two, scoring a season-best 12 runs, while the 15 hits were the second most behind 18 against Toledo Feb. 12 during the CSU Kickoff Tournament. The 11 RBI during the SCSU contest also are the most in a single game, this spring, boosted by the four home runs.

PITCHING BLANKS
It's the fourth shutout for the Charleston Southern pitching staff and third at CSU Softball Complex during the 2022 campaign.

UP NEXT
The Buccaneers continue their seven-game homestand by returning to Big South action for a three-game series with Presbyterian. The opener will be at 5 p.m. Friday on ESPN+, while Saturday's doubleheader, which starts at 1 p.m., will not be broadcast.