Mackenzie Mathis pitched a complete game with six strikeouts as the College of Charleston Cougars edged Western Carolina University 3-2 on Friday, Feb. 13, during the opening day of the Lowcountry Classic in Mt. Pleasant, South Carolina.
The Cougars took an early lead when Leela Langston doubled to left field, allowing Bronwyn Conroy to score her sixth run of the season in the first inning. Karlee Hughes followed up with a two-run single that brought home Austy Miller and Langston, putting Charleston ahead 3-0.
Western Carolina managed two runs in the fifth inning but could not close the gap. Mathis finished with seven innings pitched, allowing only three hits and striking out six Catamounts.
Charleston’s second game saw them fall 4-3 to UMass. After trailing early, Conroy scored on a sacrifice fly from Langston in the first inning. Pitcher Ryley Kutter struck out three batters in both the second and third innings. UMass extended their lead with two runs in the third. In the sixth inning, Audri Bates hit a single to right field, scoring Hailey Seymour and narrowing UMass’s lead to two runs. Langston then singled to left field for her first hit of the game, bringing Conroy home from third base for Charleston’s final run.
Mathis allowed just three hits against Western Carolina while Charleston hitters collected eight off Catamount pitching. Kutter recorded consecutive strikeouts twice against UMass, and Campbell Schaen added three more after a pitching change.
Conroy leads Charleston this season with eight runs and is tied with Langston for most hits at 13 each. She has also stolen ten bases without being caught so far in her career. Seymour leads the team with 12 RBIs and four home runs.
Charleston will continue play in the Lowcountry Classic at Patriots Point on Saturday, Feb. 14, hosting games against UConn at 3:00 p.m. and Western Carolina at 5:30 p.m., both streamed via FloCollege.
Tickets are available at Patriots Point box office or online through this link.
For continued coverage of Charleston softball, updates are provided on X (@CofCSoftball) and Instagram (@CofC_Softball).
