CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The University of Charleston Softball team (17-8, 7-1 MEC) swept the Hilltoppers of West Liberty University (7-11, 3-5 MEC) on Saturday afternoon.

THE BASICS
GAME 1 – Charleston 9; West Liberty 0
GAME 2 – Charleston 5; West Liberty 0
LOCATION – CHARLESTON, W.Va.
RECORDS – Charleston (17-8, 7-1 MEC), Hilltoppers (7-11, 3-5 MEC)

GAME ONE
-The Hilltoppers went three-and-out to start the game off at the top of the first. Charleston started off hot scoring 4 runs in the first inning. Senior Rachelle Toppings led off for the Golden Eagles reaching first on a bunt, then stealing second to get into scoring position. Freshman, Monica Carter sent a single to left field bringing toppings home.
-During the next at bat Haleigh Christopher doubled to center field advancing Carter to third. Senior first baseman, Laura Ashlock singled to left field sending Carter home to bring the score to 2-0 UC. Linda Hall subbed in on the mound for West Liberty.
-Shelby Ume stepped in and hit a single that would send Christopher home, but advanced to third on and error by the Hilltopper right fielder also allowing Ashlock to score making the score 4-0 UC.
-Both teams went scoreless in the second inning. With Carter on first, Christopher sent a double to right center field, sending Carter home for the score (5-0). With Logan Walkosz on third, Sierra Harrington, who was pinch running for Ashlock on second and Ume on first, Alyssa Stanley cracked a 2-run double that brought the score to 7-0.
-With Ume on third, Ansley Warner singled to center field sending run number 8 home for UC. Alyssa Stanley stood in scoring position when Natalie beck sacrified on a fly ball to centerfield, but Stanley scored for the Golden Eagles (9-0).
-The fourth and fifth innings were scoreless for both teams, but UC took game one in five innings.

GAME TWO
-After a slow start for both teams, Rachelle toppings stood on third ready to score with Karli Pinkerton on second. Monica Carter singled to center field sending Toppings home, but Pinkerton's speed took her home for the 2-0 score.
-In the bottom of the fourth, Shelby Ume stood on second base when Hannah Kowach reached on an error by the short stop. Stanley advanced to second, and Ume was able to make it home for the unearned run (3-0).
-In the bottom of the fifth Shelby Ume hit her second career home run sending the final two runs of the game home (5-0).
-The final two innings were scoreless for both teams and UC took game two, sweeping the Hilltoppers.
 
DOUBLE TROUBLE
-Karli Pinkerton put ensign out at third unassisted before turning a 5-3 double play to end the sixth inning.
 
UP NEXT
-Charleston will face Ohio Valley on Tuesday March 28. The double header is set to begin at 2:00 p.m.