Charleston Southern University’s softball team began its participation in the Elon/UNCG tournament on Friday, splitting a pair of games. The Buccaneers lost to Indiana 9-1 in their opening game but rebounded with an 8-4 win over UNC Greensboro.
In the first game against Indiana, Charleston Southern took an early lead after Emma Smith singled and later scored on a hit by Carsten Sandvig. However, Indiana quickly responded with a run in the bottom of the first inning and maintained control for the rest of the game, holding Charleston Southern without a hit over four innings. Gianna Deluco started as pitcher for Charleston Southern, allowing five hits and recording one strikeout across four innings.
The second game saw Charleston Southern face UNC Greensboro. The team loaded the bases in the second inning but was unable to score due to a double play. In the third inning, Blakley Kingsmore and Harper Schoeneweis each singled before Jordyn Dimond loaded the bases with another hit. Emma Smith then delivered a single that brought home two runs, followed by Carsten Sandvig’s single that added two more runs for Charleston Southern. By the end of the third inning, they led 4-3.
Maddie Lee contributed by walking and stealing her first base of the season in the fourth inning. Kingsmore also walked and stole second base during this frame. Schoeneweis grounded out to shortstop for an RBI, while Dimond’s single drove in another run. Emily Chandler drew a walk that brought home another run as Charleston Southern extended its lead.
In subsequent innings, Lee scored again after reaching base on a walk and advancing on an error by UNC Greensboro’s defense. Sandvig recorded another hit in the sixth inning, while Kingsmore collected her second stolen base of the night in the seventh.
Riley Lauffer pitched six innings for Charleston Southern, giving up four runs and striking out four batters before Brenna Conley came on as relief to finish off UNC Greensboro in the seventh inning.
Charleston Southern is scheduled to continue tournament play Saturday in Greensboro, North Carolina with games against Indiana at 10:00 a.m. and Elon at 12:30 p.m.
Fans are encouraged to support Charleston Southern Athletics through contributions to Buc Club.
