Game 1 Box
Game 2 Box

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The College of Charleston pitching staff allowed only six hits and one earned run but still dropped a doubleheader to Valparaiso on the first day of the Charleston Invitational at Patriots Point. 

Carli McCants tossed a two-hitter and struck out six in a 1-0 loss in the first game. She worked four no-hit innings before a double and RBI single in the fifth gave the Beacons the only run of the contest. McCants lowered her season ERA to 1.45 in three starts.

Malaka Belser had two of the Cougars' four hits, including a double with one out in the seventh before being stranded at third as the tie run.

Charleston jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the third inning of the nightcap on a two-run double by Jenna Helberg, who had three hits in the game. It stayed that way until Valpo scored four unearned runs in the fifth against Payton Lemire.

The Cougars answered with a tally in the bottom of the frame on an RBI single by Payton Wade. Wade also drove a ball to the warning track in right center with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to end the game.

Charleston returns to action on Saturday with games against Binghamton at noon and Holy Cross at 2:30. The Binghamton game will be streamed live on FloSoftball.