CHARLESTON, W.Va.- Following the cancelation of the doubleheader against Virginia Union on Saturday due to snowy conditions, No.19 University of Charleston Softball (2-0) came out guns blazing on Sunday, downing Walsh University 8-0 in mercy rule fashion (5 inn.) in game one and 5-4 in game two. 
 
Offensively, Allison Rubal led Charleston to victory, as the junior went 3-for-3 on the weekend with four runs batted in, three runs scored, two walks and a stolen base.  UC's pitching was led by Senior Brianna McCown who kept her ERA clean with seven strikeouts, no walks and only five hits allowed in five innings pitched.
 
The Basics:
Location: Charleston, W.Va.
Score: 8-0 (Game One: UCWV); 5-4 (Game Two: UCWV)
 
How it Happened:
Game One:
Five of Charleston's eight runs came in the bottom of the first inning after Hannah Rose led it off with a walk and a stolen base to put herself in scoring position. The bases quickly became juiced, as Isabella Andujar and Allysa Lake also picked up a pair of walks. The first run came off the bat of Lindsey Phares after she reached on a fielder's choice to score Rose. With runners on first and third, Walsh's Delaney Pete also gifted Raegan West a base on a hit by pitch. From there, a single up the middle by Morgan Hoppe plated the last two runs of the inning for UC, giving the Golden Eagles an early 5-0 advantage over the Cavaliers. 
 
Charleston plated the sixth and seventh runs of the ballgame in the second inning. Andujar led off the inning with her second walk of the day, but she was later pinch ran for by Lindsey Reavis who sped home on a double to left field by Lake. Lake was also pinch ran for by Freshman Sofia Oquendo who instigated an error as she stole third and crossed home after the ball got past the third baseman. The Cavaliers managed to stop the bleeding though, closing the inning out on two ground balls to the pitcher and second baseman. 
 
Rubal walked and swiped second to lead off the third inning for the Golden Eagles. Morgan Hoppe then went on to reach on a dropped ball by the first baseman, pushing across the speedy Rubal and final run of the game for Charleston. Walsh was able to prevent UC from scoring for the rest of the game, but they were unable to put themselves in the score column as McCown's dominant pitching shut them out. The Golden Eagles went on to win 8-0.
 
Game Two:
The second game of the day was closer than Charleston would have liked, but they clutched up and ended up winning it 5-4. UC scored first in the bottom of the first after Hannah Meyer hit into a fielder's choice that scored Rose who previously reached on a walk, stole second and advanced to third on a ground out. 

Starting pitcher Chloe Elliott went 1-2-3 in the second inning and a walk and a single set the Golden Eagles up for success in the second inning, but they were unable to capitalize. The Cavaliers went on to take the lead in the third on a double and a single by Sarah Moats and Madi Russo. 
 
The top of the third inning did not shake Charleston though as they responded with four runs of their own in the fourth inning. An error by Walsh's first baseman put UC's Meyer aboard who later reached second on a fielder's choice that was dropped by the the second baseman. Another walk by Sophomore Polistina put the Golden Eagles loaded the bases for Rubal who had a clutch single up the middle to cut the deficit down to one. Charleston reclaimed the lead on another error by Walsh and a groundout to shortstop to put them ahead 5-4.
 
Addison Mass took to the circle in the top of the fifth to close out the game for Charleston. The sophomore struck out two and allowed zero runs, one walk and just two hits  in three innings pitched to secure her first win of the season.
 
Up Next:
Charleston hosts a doubleheader against Seton Hill University (6-0) on Friday, February 23 at the UC Softball Field. First pitch is set for 1pm.