Charleston, W.Va. — Charleston extended its strong conference run with a doubleheader sweep over Concord, taking both games 2-0 behind dominant pitching performances and timely late-inning offense.

GAME 1

The Basics:
Location: UC Softball Field (Watt Powell Annex)
Score: Charleston 2, Concord 0
Records: Charleston 27-10 (11-2 MEC), Concord 17-14 (7-6 MEC)

How It Happened
Both teams traded scoreless innings early as Addison Mass and Concord's M. Hollis controlled the game through the first four frames. Charleston threatened in the third when Ella Zucchero singled and moved into scoring position on a wild pitch, but the inning ended with runners stranded.

The breakthrough came in the bottom of the fifth. Alex Hurley reached on a bunt single to start the inning before Bianca Polistina put the ball in play, allowing Charleston to keep pressure on. With two outs, Zucchero delivered the key swing of the game, driving a double into right center that brought Polistina home for the first run and a 1-0 lead.

Charleston added an insurance run in the sixth as Kayla Moran led off the inning with a solo home run to right field, extending the lead to 2-0 and providing separation late.

From there, Mass shut the door. Concord put together hits in multiple innings, including traffic in the seventh, but Charleston worked out of trouble each time to preserve the shutout. Mass went the distance, allowing no runs while stranding key runners in scoring position to secure the win.

GAME 2

The Basics
Location: UC Softball Field (Watt Powell Annex)
Score: Charleston 2, Concord 0
Records: Charleston 28-10 (12-2 MEC), Concord 17-15 (7-7 MEC)

How It Happened
Game two followed a similar script, with both teams locked in a scoreless battle through five innings as Cali Masters and Concord's R. Hintz matched each other pitch for pitch.

Charleston generated early chances, including a first-inning opportunity with runners on base and a third-inning sequence where Zucchero singled and advanced into scoring position, but Concord escaped both threats to keep the game tied.

The decisive moment came in the bottom of the sixth. Zucchero jumpstarted the inning again, this time with a double to left center. After a pop out, Moran put the ball in play and reached on a fielder's choice, allowing Zucchero to score on a Concord error for the first run of the game.

Moments later, Danielle Pici delivered the big hit, driving a double into left field to bring Moran home and extend the lead to 2-0. The two-run sequence flipped the game's momentum and gave Charleston control late.

Masters took it from there, finishing the complete game shutout. Concord managed just three hits and could not generate a late rally as Charleston closed out the sweep.

Up Next:
Charleston returns to conference play on April 11 with a doubleheader at Davis & Elkins in Elkins, W.Va. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 p.m. with game two to follow at 2:00 p.m.