Shannon Howard powered the Cougars with five hits and five RBI as the College of Charleston softball team racked up 19 hits, while only allowing three runs and striking out 19, to sweep a doubleheader against the Appalachian State Mountaineers 6-2 and 5-2 in front of 125 fans Friday at Patriots Point Stadium.

The Cougars improved to 15-21 overall, and 2-0 in the Southern Conference, while the Mountaineers fell to 4-20 overall, and 3-2 in conference. The two teams finish their three game series Saturday, Mar. 22 at 1:00 pm at Patriots Point Stadium.

In game one, Charleston struck first in the bottom of the second inning when Kristie Shifflett homered to left field to give the Cougars a 1-0 lead.  In the next inning, Howard's RBI double brought in Christal Kotchman to extend the lead to 2-0. The Cougars added a run in each of next two innings, and two in the bottom of the sixth to secure the win.

Terri Mesko (6-10) pitched a complete game, striking out 10 and allowing only two runs on four hits. Richardson (3-8) picked up the loss, allowing 13 hits and six runs.

Kotchman led the Cougars offensively, going 2-for-2 with two RBI. Mesko and Brittany Small each went 2-for-3 to contribute the Cougar victory.

The Mountaineers were led by Katie Boyd who went 1-for-3 with one RBI.

In the night cap, the Cougars broke open a 1-1 tie in the bottom of the second inning and scored three runs, capped off by Howard's two-run double.

Appalachian State cut the lead to two, scoring a run in the sixth, but the Cougars responded with a run in the bottom to keep the margin at three.

Howard went 2-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI. She also picked up her eighth win of the season, allowing only two runs, while striking out nine.

Shifflett also added one hit and one RBI.

Yance Moose (1-8) received the loss, allowing five runs on five hits.