Cougars shut out Kennesaw State in Cougar Classic final, 2-0

Sunday, February 24

Patriots Point

6 p.m.

College of Charleston

Kennesaw State

College of Charleston falls 1-0 to Georgia Southern in Southern Conference opener

2/24/2008 5:00:00 AM | Softball

By: CofCSports.com

Mt. Pleasant, S.C. -- Christal Kotchman and Kristi Woodall scored late in the sixth inning to push the College of Charleston softball team over Kennesaw State, 2-0 in the final game of the CofC Cougar Classic Sunday night from Patriots Point.

“It was very exciting, Terri (Mesko) brought her ?A' game,” said CofC Head Coach Shelly Hoerner. “We gave a great team effort, I'm very proud of them.”

The Cougars improve to 4-13 on the season, while KSU falls to 10-4

Sophomore pitcher, Terri Mesko, earned her first victory to move her record to 1-7. The sophomore from McDonough, Ga., pitched a complete game. She struck out 14 Owl batters with only three hits.

Kotchman got the first hit of the game for the Cougars in the bottom of the sixth. The Seminole, Fla., junior singled to the shortstop. After stealing second base, Kotchman advanced to third off a wild pitch by Jessica Cross. As Woodall watched ball four, Kotchman took off for home after a throwing error by KSU catcher Jenna Closner.

Designated player Shannon Howard stepped to the plate and singled down the right field line. The Carmichael, Calif., native batted Woodall in for the final run of the game. Howard went 1-for-1 in the effort, with Kotchman going 1-for-1 with one run scored.

KSU's Cross (1-1) faced 19 Charleston batters, striking out three. She recorded two earned runs.

CofC will host its second of three home tournaments next weekend. The CofC Invitational will be at Patriots Point Friday, Feb. 29 ? Sunday, March 2. The Cougars play East Tennessee State at 4 p.m. Friday.