CHARLESTON, W.Va. -  The University of Charleston women's softball team extended its winning streak to 18 games Tuesday with a doubleheader sweep of W.Va. State University. The Golden Eagles are now 38-7 on the season and 25-3 in Mountain East Conference play with the 3-0 and 9-3 victories.

Charleston took the lead in game one when Rachelle Toppings scored on a Laura Ashlock single to right field.  A Kelly Browning double scored pinch runner Ansley Warner to make the lead 2-0 after four complete. UC added an insurance run in the sixth when Katelyn Hamilton scored on an Ashlock double. Alli Burdette picked up her 21st win of the season with a three-hit complete game shutout.

Game two of the twinbill saw back-and-forth action from both teams as UC jumped on top in the first when Ashlock hit her 11th home run of the season, which tied the school record for home runs in a season.  WVSU answered with a run in the second to tie the game. The Golden Eagles took the lead back in the third and extended it to 3-1 in the fourth after Toppings singled home Jenna Evans, who had walked. However, the Yellow Jackets tied the game with one out in the fifth on a bases-loaded double by Sydney Kaplan that scored Brittany Hale and Summer Sword.  The double chased starter Jessie Rowe, who had allowed six hits and three runs. 

UC had an answer as Evans hit her first career home run -- a 3-run shot to left field -- to give UC a 6-3 lead. Charleston added three more runs in the sixth as five runners reached base on four singles and a walk. Burdette got her 22nd win of the season in relief, pitching two and two-third innings and striking out two.  

Ashlock was 4-for-7 with four RBIs, a home run and a double. Browning added three doubles, Toppings added four hits, and Hamilton had three hits over the two games.

UC will be back in action for Senior Day on Saturday, April 23, when it hosts Fairmont State University, with first pitch at 2 p.m.