The College of Charleston softball team broke open a 1-0 game with a six-run fourth inning, and survived a late game rally to take the eventual 7-5 win over the Appalachian State Mountaineers in front of 173 fans at Patriots Point Field in Mt. Pleasant, S.C.

Charleston, which steps out of league play to host a doubleheader against Charleston Southern Wednesday, Mar. 26th at 5:00 p.m., wins its seventh straight to go to 16-21 overall and 3-0 in the Southern Conference.  The Mountaineers fall to 4-21 and 3-3 in the league. 

The fourth inning started with Terri Mesko scoring on a fielder's choice by Kristal Kotchman. Kristi Woodall's two-out, three-run double to left center put the Cougars up 5-0. Charleston added two more runs in the inning to take a 7-0 lead.

The Mountaineers added two runs in each of the next two innings, and one in the seventh to cut the margin to 7-5, but their rally fell short when Tiffany Harmon caught a line drive down the left field line to end the game.

Woodall led the Cougars offensively going 1-for-2 with three RBI and two runs scored. Kristie Shifflett also chipped in going 2-for-3 with one RBI.

Mesko (7-10) struck out five in five innings of work to get her second win of the weekend. Shannon Howard picked up her first save of the year in relief.

Kayla Richardson (3-9) took the loss for Appalachian State..