College of Charleston
Marist
Softball Sweeps CofC Invitational Finale
3/16/2015 1:03:00 AM | Softball
MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – The College of Charleston softball team swept Marist, 8-0 (five innings), and Furman, 2-1, Sunday afternoon at Patriots Point, securing their third straight victory to end the CofC Invitational.
“We have been struggling the last couple weeks and that's the reality of it,” Head Coach Linda Kalafatis said. “We haven't had all three elements of the game (pitching, defense, and hitting) all at one time and that's been our focus. In these last three games we have certainly had that.”
The pitching duo of Hope Klicker and Samantha Martin was dominant throughout the afternoon; each pitched complete games while combining for 17 strikeouts and one earned run over 12 innings pitched.
“The pitching has been spectacular. I don't know if we gave up the number of hits we like but we worked out of a lot of jams and that's what you have to do at this level if you want to be a great team,” explained Kalafatis. “We have a good week here now so we can get back to the basics before we open conference play.”
Mackenzie Maples also had quite the afternoon going 3-5 with four RBIs, two walks, and one run scored on the day. Maples drove in the lone two runs for CofC in their victory versus Furman. Through 28 games this season freshmen Taylor DuPree leads the team with a .435 batting average.
CofC (15-13) will open conference play Saturday, March 21 against new CAA-member Elon in game one and two of the three game series beginning at 2 p.m.
CofC 8 Marist 0 (5 Innings) | Box Score
Hope Klicker (7-10) shut out the Red Foxes over five innings, striking out five, and allowing only three hits.
After only scoring one run in through three innings, the Cougars opened the game up in the fourth and fifth inning, combining for seven runs on six hits. Taylor DuPree knocked in the first run on a fielder's choice that was followed by Mackenzie Maples single that plated Morganne Parker and Victoria Bratcher.
The Cougars opened the fifth with a leadoff walk by Carly Hansis and a double down the left field line by Katie Padilla. Katie Parker and Rebecca Mueller would contribute RBIs added with two runs scored off wild pitches to end the game.
CofC 2; Furman 1 | Box Score
In game two, sophomore Samantha Martin (6-3) stole the show, striking out 12 batters over seven innings. Martin struck out three batters in the fourth inning while ringing up two in the second, fifth and seventh.
Mackenzie Maples set the tone for CofC on offense, driving in Taylor DuPree from first base off of a double to right center in the first inning. Maples third home run of the season over right field would be the eventual winning run in the third inning.
After two Martin strikeouts, Courtney Jacobs tripled to right center to give the Paladins the tying run at the plate in the seventh. Jacobs would score the next at bat on a single from Taylor Jenkins to cut the CofC lead 2-1. Martin would pop up Natalie Clemons to end the game.
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