College of Charleston
Detroit
Cougar Softball Falls to Detroit, Rebounds Against Radford
2/28/2016 4:56:00 AM | Softball
MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – The College of Charleston Softball team split their Saturday matchups, as it dropped it's first game against Detroit, 5-2, and then rebounded to defeat Radford, 6-1, on the second day of the Wyndham Garden Cougar Classic.
The Cougars (6-6) faced the Titans (2-9) in the third game of the day at 3:30 p.m., and challenged the Highlanders (5-2) in the fifth and final game of the day at 8:15 p.m.
“Tonight was about getting big hits, and more importantly, timely hits.” CofC head coach Linda Kalafatis said. “We did not play our best game in the first one (Detroit), but I think our team really responded from that and came out motivated in the night-cap to get a win, and they did.
Detroit, 5, Charleston, 2
Freshman pitcher Brittany Violette made her first start of the season for the College against Detroit, and although she was awarded the loss, she showed some flashes of potential, as she struck out five batters and allowed only seven hits in her 6.1 innings of work. Violette gave up two runs in the top of the first inning, but then threw three consecutive scoreless innings.
“I was definitely dealing with a little bit of nerves in the first inning, but once I found my groove I really felt like I had them.” Violette said. “I think I could have done more, and so I hope I have more opportunities like this this season.”
Charleston scored both of their runs in the bottom of the fourth inning thanks to RBI hits by Carly Hansis and Kelly Sinclair. The Cougars recorded 11 hits in total, along with drawing six walks, but were limited by their inability to string those opportunities into runs. They ultimately left 11 runners on base against Detroit.
Charleston, 6, Radford, 1
In it's matinee performance, the Cougars came out with intensity, and was aided by a star performance from their ace pitcher Samantha Martin, who threw a complete game against Radford. She struck out five, while only allowing five hits and did not walk a single batter.
“Night games are my favorite, I absolutely live for this.” Martin said. “ It felt really good to come out and be able to help my team get a win, at home in front of our fans.”
Martin was aided by a comfortable lead early in the game, as the Cougars score three runs in the bottom of the first inning on a Valerie Cassell home run that brought home Rebecca Mueller and Sara Garcia. That home run was her second in this tournament for CofC. Carly Hansis added on to the Cougar lead with a home run of her own in the bottom of the sixth inning that brought home Isabel McCluskey.
Who's Up Next
Sunday will be the final day of the Wyndham Garden Cougar Classic, and Charleston is scheduled to play UMass-Lowell (2-7) in the second game of the day at 11 a.m. Keep up with the action from each game of the tournament with live stats via CofCStat.com, and for more information and updates about College of Charleston softball, follow the team on Twitter at @CofCSoftball.
-www.CofCSports.com-
