Charleston, S.C. – Freshmen Noel Dominguez and Ginna Leaphart both drove in three runs to back the three-hit pitching of Chandler Sparkman as the College of Charleston defeated Charleston Southern, 8-0, in the first of two meetings between the city rivals this season.

The Cougars have won 14 of the last 15 in the series, and the teams are scheduled to meet again at Patriots Point on April 16.

Leaphart, making her first career start, doubled twice including a two-run shot to the fence in right center as the Cougars (9-9) scored four times in the first. Dominguez was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded in that frame and added a two-run double an inning later for her first career extra base hit.

Gracyn Thrasher added an RBI single in the first and solo homer in the seventh, and Madi Brown singled in each of the first two innings for her fourth straight two-hit game while raising her average to a team-best .404. Lexee Emanuel also contributed two hits and scored twice as Charleston pounded out 10 hits on the day.

After shining in a relief role over her last three outings, Sparkman earned her first start as a Cougar and continued her hot run in the circle. She allowed the leadoff batter to reach in the first two innings, but a double play and strikeout to conclude the second began a run of 14 in a row she set down. Sparkman struck out the side in the sixth and fanned seven in the game.

After doubling for her first career hit and RBI in the first, Leaphart added another two-base hit to knock in the seventh run in the fifth. Thrasher concluded the scoring with a drive over the fence in left for her second homer of the season.

The Cougars return home this weekend when they host the Charleston Invitational at Patriots Point. Charleston faces Rhode Island and Bryant on Friday and Marist and NC State on Saturday.