HAMPTON, Va. – Charleston Southern took care of business as it needed to this weekend, completing a three-game sweep over Hampton with a 7-1 win Saturday to assure itself of a berth in next week's Big South Tournament in Farmville, Virginia.

RARE ROAD SWEEP
The three-game series sweep on the road was the only time it happened this spring for the Bucs and just the second overall time they claimed victories in each of a three-game set, joining a home sweep over Mercer March 5-6.

The last time CSU swept all three games on the road, and also in league play, was at Presbyterian March 27 and April 3, 2019.

POUNDING OUT THE HITS
Charleston Southern (26-26, 12-13 Big South) delivered 11 hits in the contest, including two apiece off the bats of Lilly Bishop, Raleigh Lewis, Madison Koger and Weslin Jones. Bishop and SeaEnna Satcher led the way with two RBI each and the seven runs were scored by seven different players.

It marked the 12th time this spring in which CSU had double-digit hits, including five times against league schools and all three this weekend.

IN THE CIRCLE
Annah Junge picked up the win although she tossed only 4.0 innings, striking out seven of the 19 batters she faced and surrendering four hits and the only run.

Baylee Eaton came in on relief, facing just one over the minimum during the last 3.0 innings on a walk. She held the Lady Pirates hitless and scoreless during her appearance.

HOW IT HAPPENED SATURDAY
The Bucs were able to strike first, in the top of the second. Koger led off the frame with a single and moving to third on a Jones double two batters later. With runners on the corners, Ashlyn Cribb brought in Koger on a sacrifice fly for the game's first run.

Hampton (19-36, 7-20 Big South) countered with its only score in the same inning. Back-to-back singles by Lauryn Brooks and Samyah Richardson put two runners on base and then back-to-back walks by Casey Walker and Tiera Washington first loaded the bases and then allowed Brooks to come home, leveling the score at 1-1.

CSU wasted little time responding in the third. Ashley Meckley laid down a bunt single and worked her way over to second on the play. Standing in scoring position, Bishop's single up the middle brought her home the remaining 120 feet in the quick answer to put Charleston Southern back on top, 2-1.

It was a one-run contest when the flood gates opened in the fourth as the Buccaneers pounced on the pitching change as the Lady Pirates turned to Kennedy Hickey in relief. Jones led off with a leadoff bunt single but was unable to advance further as a fielder's choice forced her out at second base. Taylor Gleason then was hit by a pitch, sliding Cribb over to second.

Bishop again yielded the big bat, singling to left to bring home Cribb and advance Gleason to third. A dropped fly ball off the bat of Lewis scored Gleason, moved Bishop to third and put Lewis on second with two outs. Satcher then slugged a double to left center, allowing both Bishop and Lewis to score, and the Bucs' cushion swelled to 6-1.

With Eaton entering the game in the circle for CSU, she would issue a leadoff walk in the fifth to Mo'ne Davis but then retire the next-nine Hampton batters she faced over the final-three frames. With that assurance, Charleston Southern added just one more run to the scoring column the rest of the way. Lewis hit a leadoff double in the seventh before being lifted for Blake Holtorf as a pinch runner. Holtorf then moved to third on a ground out but scored on a Koger sacrifice fly in the next at-bat to decide the final outcome.

UP NEXT
The Buccaneers will learn of their Big South Tournament opponent and full bracket information Monday following the conclusion of regular-season action from around the league. Inclement weather has pushed the scheduling of some games back, delaying the completed regular season.

Stay tuned on CSUSports.com to learn more about Charleston Southern's trip to Longwood for the league tournament next week.