Viera, Fla. — The University of Charleston softball team built an early lead and held off a late rally from St. Cloud State to secure a 4–3 victory Friday morning at the USSSA Space Coast Complex during the Space Coast Spring Games.

The Basics:
Location: Viera, Fla. (USSSA Space Coast Complex)
Score: Charleston 4, St. Cloud State 3
Records: Charleston 10–7 (0–0 MEC), St. Cloud State 16–4 (0–0 NSIC)

How It Happened:
St. Cloud State went down in order in the top of the first inning.

Charleston struck first in the bottom of the first inning. E. Zucchero opened the frame with a walk before T. Hodson also reached on a walk. C. Masters then singled to center field and advanced to second on the throw, bringing Zucchero home while Hodson moved to third. Later in the inning, K. Moran singled through the right side to drive in Hodson, giving the Golden Eagles a 2–0 lead after one.

The Golden Eagles added two more runs in the bottom of the second inning. E. Zucchero singled up the middle and later scored when T. Hodson delivered a single through the right side. After C. Masters added another single to keep the inning going, Hodson eventually scored on a wild pitch to extend Charleston's lead to 4–0.

St. Cloud State responded with a run in the top of the third inning to make it 4–1.

The Huskies closed the gap in the top of the fifth inning with two runs, trimming Charleston's lead to 4–3.

Charleston's defense shut the door late, retiring the Huskies in order in both the sixth and seventh innings to secure the victory.

Up Next:
Charleston returns to action Saturday, March 7 for the final day of the Space Coast Spring Games tournament, where the Golden Eagles will face the University of Findlay (12:15 PM) and Ursuline College (2:30 PM).