CHARLESTON - The Charleston Southern softball team split a midweek doubleheader with the College of Charleston on Wednesday afternoon, falling 7-6 in game one before bouncing back with a 4-3 victory in game two.

GAME ONE
Blakley Kingsmore opened the game with a single down the left field line before stealing second but was left stranded.

The Buccaneers broke through in the second inning as Lorenzza Marcacci drew a walk and Linley Jones followed with a single to center. A sacrifice groundout plated Marcacci to give CSU a 1-0 lead.

Kingsmore sparked the offense again in the third with another lead off single, followed by a hit from Jordyn Dimond. A Cougar throwing error allowed Kingsmore to score, and a sacrifice ground out brought Dimond home to extend the lead to 3-0.

College of Charleston answered in the fifth, scoring three runs to even the game at 3-3.

In the sixth, Maddie Lee led off with a double and Harper Schoeneweis followed with a single before stealing second. Marcacci drew her second walk of the game and later stole second, and a sacrifice fly brought Lee home to put the Bucs back in front, 4-3.

Charleston Southern added insurance in the seventh. Kingsmore collected her third hit of the game and Dimond followed with a single before both advanced on stolen bases. Lee delivered an RBI single, and a sacrifice fly extended the lead to 6-3.

The Cougars mounted a comeback in the bottom of the seventh, scoring four runs to walk off with a 7-6 win.

Brenna Conley started in the circle for the Buccaneers with four innings of work allowing three runs on three hits with one strikeout. Riley Lauffer threw 2.2 innings of relief allowing four runs on six hits with two strikeouts. 

GAME TWO
The Bucs struck early in game two as Dimond singled to right field and Lee followed with a double to center to bring her home. Marcacci then reached on an error, allowing Lee to score and giving CSU a 2-0 lead.

College of Charleston responded with two runs in the bottom of the first to tie the game.

Emma Smith recorded a single in the second, but the Bucs were unable to convert.

In the third, Dimond reached on an error and Lee advanced to second on a wild pitch after a fielder's choice. Marcacci was hit by a pitch, and Jones reached on another fielder's choice, but CSU left runners on base.

The Cougars took a 3-2 lead in the sixth.

Charleston Southern answered in the seventh. Charlee Yourman was hit by a pitch, with Olivia Chuck entering as a pinch runner. Kingsmore singled and stole second before a sacrifice fly brought Chuck home to tie the game. Moments later, Lee delivered a single through the left side to give the Bucs a 4-3 lead.

Kinsey Clopton tossed a complete game for the Buccaneers allowing three runs on four hits with three strikeouts.

UP NEXT
Charleston Southern returns home this weekend to wrap up conference play. First pitch on Friday is set for 4:00 p.m., followed by a Saturday doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m. Senior Day ceremonies will take place following the conclusion of Saturday's games. All contests will be streamed on ESPN+.

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