Athens, W.Va. — Charleston opened Mountain East Conference play with a doubleheader sweep over Concord on Saturday, taking game one 6-3 before rallying for a 5-3 win in game two.
Game 1
The Basics:
Location: Athens, W.Va. (CU Softball Field)
Score: Charleston 6, Concord 3
Records: Charleston 17-8 (1-0 MEC), Concord 10-9 (0-1 MEC)
How It Happened:
Charleston struck first in the opening inning as Ella Zucchero reached on an error and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Cali Masters to give the Golden Eagles a 1-0 lead.
Concord answered in the bottom half of the inning, tying the game on a solo home run before adding another run later in the frame to move in front 2-1.
After a scoreless second and third, Charleston pulled even in the fourth. Danielle Pici singled through the left side, Aubriana Espinoza moved her over with a sacrifice bunt, and Emma Smith singled before Maya Hataway delivered an RBI single to third base that also brought home another run on a throwing error to put UC ahead 3-1.
The Golden Eagles added to the lead in the fifth when Kayla Moran singled to left center and later scored on Pici's RBI double to make it 4-1.
Charleston extended the margin again in the sixth as Maddie Entler doubled to left center and scored on a Taylor Hodson RBI single to push the lead to 5-1.
Concord made one last push in the bottom of the sixth, using a single and a two-run homer to cut the deficit to 5-3, but Charleston answered in the seventh when Danielle Pici scored on a Concord outfield error to make it 6-3.
The Golden Eagles closed the door in the bottom of the seventh, retiring the side in order to seal the opener. Addison Mass earned the win in the circle and improved to 10-2.
Game 2
The Basics
Location: Athens, W.Va. (CU Softball Field)
Score: Charleston 5, Concord 3
Records: Charleston 18-8 (2-0 MEC), Concord 10-10 (0-2 MEC)
How It Happened:
Charleston opened the scoring again in game two. Ella Zucchero reached on an error, moved into scoring position on more Concord miscues, and came home on a sacrifice fly from Cali Masters for a 1-0 lead.
Concord answered quickly in the bottom of the first, using a single and two RBI plays to take a 2-1 advantage.
Both teams were held scoreless through the second and third before Concord added a solo home run in the fourth to make it 3-1.
Charleston chipped away in the sixth when Zucchero singled, advanced on an error and a passed ball, and scored on another sacrifice fly from Masters to cut the deficit to 3-2.
The Golden Eagles broke through in the seventh. Caraline Dunn walked and Alex Hurley came on to run, then advanced on a sacrifice bunt before Maddie Entler doubled down the left field line to tie the game. Sophia Compton followed with a single, and later in the inning Entler scored on a Concord fielding error to put Charleston in front. Zucchero then walked, and Hodson doubled to left field to bring home another run and stretch the lead to 5-3.
Charleston finished the sweep with a clean bottom of the seventh, as Concord was retired in order. Cali Masters earned the game two win and improved to 7-3.
Up Next:
Charleston continues MEC play on Sunday, March 22 with a doubleheader at Glenville State. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. with game two scheduled for 3 p.m. at the Sue Morris Sports Complex in Glenville, West Virginia.
