The Red Storm downs CofC in day one of tourney

Friday, March 14

Patriots Point

4 p.m.

College of Charleston

St. John's

3/14/2008 4:00:00 AM | Softball

By: CofCSports.com

Mt. Pleasant, S.C. -- Despite five hits, the College of Charleston fell to St. John's 6-1 in game three of the College of Charleston Classic Friday afternoon from Patriots Point Field.

The Cougars (9-20) take on Syracuse immediately following for the day one night cap. The Red Storm (7-13) will face Big East foe Syracuse at 11 a.m. Saturday, March 15.

St. John's opened the scoring with three runs in the top of the third. Bionka King, Shauntaine Harris and Kacee Cox put the Red Storm atop the Cougars.

After two innings with no runs scored, Christal Kotchman scored the only run for the Cougars. Kotchman reached on a single to the shortstop. Freshman Kristi Woodall hit a single to left and Kotchman headed to third. Kristie Shifflett hit a sacrifice fly to deep centerfield to bring Kotchman in for the run.

Freshman Katie Nutaitis led the Cougars' offense. The right fielder went 2-for-2 from the plate. Tiffany Harmon went 1-for-3, while Woodall and Kotchman went 1-for-4 and 1-for-3, respectively.

Terri Mesko (3-8) pitched through four innings. The McDonough, Ga., native struck out three Red Storm batters and allowed two earned runs and five hits, before being relieved by Alexa Datko. Kat Lawrence (3-5) pitched a complete game with five strikeouts and one earned run.