Box Score

MONTGOMERY, ALA. – Payton Wade hit a two-run homer as part of a big first inning, and Malaka Belser provided insurance with a two-run pinch hit shot in the seventh as the College of Charleston beat Austin Peay, 7-5, in the final game of the Stinger Classic on Sunday.

Wade's homer followed an RBI double by Jenna Helberg and preceded a run-scoring double by Kelli Anne Carter as the Cougars put up four in the first. Noel Dominguez made it 5-0 with a successful suicide squeeze in the fourth.

The Governors broke through with four runs in the sixth to pull within one, but Payton Lemire came in to relieve Carli McCants and induced a fly out and ground out to strand two runners. Following the Belser home run, Lemire gave up one run in the bottom of the seventh before finishing up for the save.

KEY COUGARS
•    Wade had three hits to tie her career high, adding two singles to her first inning home run.
•    Belser slammed her first career home run and had two pinch hits over the weekend.
•    Carter had two hits including her first career extra base hit (double) and RBI.
•    McCants went the first 5.1 innings and allowed four runs (three earned) to pick up the win.
•    Lemire allowed one hit and one run in 1.2 innings for her first career save.

GAME NOTES
•    Wade also had three hits against Northern Illinois and Jacksonville State in 2020. 
•    Wade's home run was the ninth of her career. She led the Cougars a year ago with five.
•    McCants went 12.1 innings of four-hit, shutout ball in two starts before the sixth inning Austin Peay rally.
•    McCants had one win in each of her first two seasons before doubling that total this weekend.
•    Helberg finished the tournament with two singles, a double, two home runs and four RBI. 

UP NEXT
The Cougars open their home season next weekend with the Charleston Invitational at Patriots Point. Charleston begins play with a doubleheader against Valparaiso on Friday at 5 p.m.