College of Charleston
Savannah State
Charleston Softball Stymies Opposition in Season Opener
2/14/2016 5:13:00 AM | Softball
Savannah, Ga. - The College of Charleston softball team opened its 2016 season with an exciting set of games at the Savannah State Tournament. The Cougars rallied to beat Savannah State 3-2 in extra innings, and Jacksonville State 7-6 with the game tied late.
The win over Savannah State was the first opening-day win for head coach Linda Kalafatis in now her third season at the helm.
“One of the things we challenge our team with is 'what kind of maturity are we going to have' and so, when things get tough we want to see how we are going to react” Kalafatis said, adding “I am super proud of the way we responded to the challenges that each of these teams gave us.”
The Cougars first contest started at 3:00 p.m., and featured a Savannah State team with a lot of firepower, including Torrian Wright at first base, who led the NCAA in batting average in 2015. The College got out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, and maintained it until Savannah State scored two unearned runs in the fourth inning.
The stalemate continued, as what amounted to a pitcher's duel ensued through the seventh inning. CofC's starting pitcher Samantha Martin threw a complete game, giving up only four hits and struck out 14 batters. Kasie Johnson for the Tigers pitched a solid game herself, allowing only two earned runs, and seven hits total.
The score was separated in the top of the eighth when Taylor DuPree scored from second on an RBI single off of Rebecca Mueller's bat. Savannah State managed to load the bases in the bottom of the eighth, but they were unable to take advantage.
The excitement wasn't over for the Cougars though, as the Gamecocks of Jacksonville State came to play against the Cougars under the lights at the Lady Tiger Softball field.
The College captured a commanding lead early in the top of the third inning when they scored five runs. All of those runs were driven in behind two home runs; the first a two-run shot from Dana Horgan, and the second, a three-run blast from Carly Hansis.
Sara Garcia would add an additional run to CofC's total in the top of the fifth inning on an RBI double to left field. The Cougars comfortable lead would be short lived though, as Jacksonville managed six runs in the bottom of the fifth with three doubles, and a three-run home run.
With the scored tied in the bottom of the sixth, the Cougars needed, and made a play. Valerie Cassell sent a single shot up the middle, allowing Carly Hansis to make a break for home from second, and that she did, breaking the tie and giving The College a one-run lead.
An uneventful seventh inning, ending with the Cougar's first double-play of the season gave Charleston their first two-win season debut since the 2012 season.
The weekend action isn't over for the Cougars though, as they face another set of games on Sunday, with a 1:00 p.m. matchup with Western Carolina, and then a rematch against Savannah State at 4:00 p.m.
