Charleston, W.Va. — Charleston softball swept Wheeling University in a conference doubleheader on March 28, taking Game 1 behind a complete-game no-hitter before securing the sweep with an 8-0 run-rule win in Game 2.

Game 1

The Basics:
Location: UC Softball Field (Charleston, W.Va.)
Score: Charleston 2, Wheeling 0
Records: Charleston 21-10 (5-2 MEC), Wheeling 6-19 (1-4 MEC)

How It Happened:
Charleston opened the scoring in the first inning. Ella Zucchero drew a leadoff walk and stole second before Taylor Hodson singled through the left side and advanced to second on the throw, moving Zucchero to third. Danielle Pici then reached on a bunt fielder's choice, with Zucchero thrown out at the plate, but Pici stole second to keep two runners in scoring position. Maddie Entler followed with an RBI single through the left side to bring home Hodson for the game's first run.

The Golden Eagles added their second run in the third. Zucchero reached on an error by the second baseman and then stole second. Hodson moved her to third on a groundout to short, and Kayla Moran followed with a sacrifice RBI to first base that scored Zucchero and pushed the lead to 2-0.

Wheeling's best chance came in the top of the third. Maria Harrison was hit by a pitch, stole third after Ava Kresak walked, and gave the Cardinals runners at first and third with two outs. Addison Mass ended the threat with a strikeout, then held Wheeling off the board the rest of the way to complete the no-hitter.

Game 2

The Basics:
Location: UC Softball Field (Charleston, W.Va.)
Score: Charleston 8, Wheeling 0 (5 innings)
Records: Charleston 22-10 (6-2 MEC), Wheeling 6-20 (1-5 MEC)

How It Happened:
Charleston took control in the first inning with five runs. Ella Zucchero led off with a double to center and scored on Maddie Entler's RBI single to center. Taylor Hodson and Kayla Moran then worked walks to load the bases, and a wild pitch plus a Wheeling catching error allowed Entler and Hodson to score while Moran advanced to third. Aubriana Espinoza followed with a walk and stole second, and after Robyn Wood also drew a walk, Kaleigh Serra reached on a fielder's choice that brought Espinoza home while Moran also scored on a Wheeling error to make it 5-0.

Charleston broke it open in the fourth. Jackie Gachupin opened the inning with a triple to right field, and Morgan Dunman followed with a walk before stealing second. After one out, Emma Dunman drove a three-run home run to left field, scoring Gachupin and Morgan Dunman ahead of her to extend the lead to 8-0.

Cali Masters handled the rest in the circle, striking out 12 and allowing only two hits in the five-inning shutout.

Up Next:
Charleston returns to action on March 29 for a conference doubleheader against West Liberty University at 1 and 3 p.m. at the UC Softball Field.