CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Charleston Southern softball team was back at it on Friday, as they hosted their second tournament in as many weeks with the Buccaneer Classic taking place this weekend at CSU Softball Field.
After dropping the first game 6-4 to the UNC Wilmington Seahawks in the first game, the Buccaneers (2-5) were able to pick up a win in walkoff fashion during the night cap against the Central Connecticut State Blue Devils by a 7-6 score.
Game One
After UNC Wilmington (5-2) chased Buccaneer starter
Riley Lauffer out of the game in the third inning with a 4-0 lead, the Buccaneers were able to cut the deficit to one run, as they scored three in the bottom half of the inning. With one out, the Buccaneers were able to load the bases with a walk and two singles. After a run scored on a fielder's choice,
Carsten Sandvig made it a one-run game with a two-run double that hit off of the left field wall.
The Seahawks were able to get to
Brenna Conley in the sixth inning, and a double into the gap made it a 6-3 game. The Buccaneers trimmed the deficit to two, as
Emma Smith reached base on a two-out error. She came around to score on an RBI single by
Emma Villaescusa.
Charleston Southern had a chance in the bottom of the seventh inning, loading the bases with two outs; however, the Seahawks were able to get Sandvig to fly out to escape with the win.
Lauffer suffered her first loss of the season 2.0+ IP, allowing four runs on six hits. Conley threw 5.0 innings in relief and allowed two runs on four hits while striking out two batters.
Game Two
The Buccaneers had a 6-4 lead entering the seventh inning, when the Blue Devils (0-2) loaded the bases with two outs and tied the game on a two-run single.
Charleston Southern answered in the bottom of the seventh inning, as
Jordyn Dimond began the inning with a walk, followed by a walk from
Weslin Jones and a single by Blakely Kingsmore, who loaded the bases for
Carsten Sandvig, who reached base via the walk to give the Buccaneers the win.
In a back-and-forth game, the Buccaneers answered the bell every time the Blue Devils scored a run. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Sandvig gave the Buccaneers the lead with a groundout to third base. Kingsmore and
Weslin Jones were able to score on the play, as a throw home by the first baseman went under the catcher's glove and to the backstop.
Charleston Southern regained the lead in the bottom of the sixth inning, as Kingsmore began the inning with a single and went to third on a Sandvig base hit. Villaescusa then brought her in with an RBI single and scored on a sacrifice fly by Harper Scoeneweis.
Mackenzie Rutkoff started the game for the Buccaneers, allowing four runs on five hits while striking out six in 4.0 innings pitched. She came away with a no decision.
Kinsey Clopton picked up her first-collegiate win, allowing two runs on two hits in 3.0 innings of relief. Charleston Southern walked a total of 10 times in the contest.
On Deck
The Buccaneer Classic continues tomorrow, as the Buccaneers will take on UNC Wilmington at 2:30 PM followed by a rematch with Central Connecticut State at 5:00 PM. Both games will be streamed on ESPN+.
