Salem, Va. – The University of Charleston softball team punched its ticket to day three of the 2026 Mountain East Conference Tournament with a 6-4 victory over Frostburg State on Thursday afternoon at Moyer Sports Complex. Charleston used a four-run fifth inning to pull away before closing out the Falcons late behind Addison Mass in the circle.
The Basics:
Location: Moyer Sports Complex | Salem, Va.
Score: Charleston 6, Frostburg State 4
Records: Charleston (44-14, 22-6 MEC) | Frostburg State (35-15, 18-10 MEC)
How It Happened:
Frostburg State threatened in the opening inning after a walk and single put two runners aboard, but Addison Mass stranded both runners with a strikeout to keep the game scoreless. Charleston answered with a Bianca Polistina single in the bottom half, though the Golden Eagles were unable to bring her around.
Frostburg State struck first in the top of the second inning, using a two-run single to take a 2-0 lead. Charleston went down in order in the bottom half as the Falcons carried momentum into the third.
Charleston responded in the bottom of the third. Aubriana Espinoza drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Maya Hataway. Ella Zucchero followed with an RBI single to center field to cut the deficit to 2-1. After Taylor Hodson singled, Kayla Moran ripped an RBI double to left field, scoring Zucchero and tying the game at 2-2.
Frostburg State regained the lead in the fourth inning with an RBI single down the right field line, making it 3-2. Charleston threatened in the bottom half after Emma Smith singled and moved to third following a sacrifice bunt from Kaleigh Serra and a groundout, but the Golden Eagles were unable to capitalize.
Mass settled in during the fifth inning, retiring Frostburg State in order to give the offense a chance to respond. Charleston then delivered the decisive rally in the bottom half. Polistina and Hodson opened the inning with back-to-back singles before Moran worked a walk to load the bases. Danielle Pici reached on a fielder's choice that resulted in an out at the plate, but the Golden Eagles continued to pressure the Falcons. Serra broke the game open with a two-run single to right field, scoring Moran and Hodson to put Charleston ahead 4-3. Maddie Entler followed with an RBI fielder's choice before Hataway added another RBI single to left, extending the lead to 6-3.
Frostburg State attempted a comeback in the seventh inning after a leadoff double eventually led to a sacrifice fly, trimming the deficit to 6-4. The Falcons brought the tying run to the plate, but Charleston recorded the final outs to secure the tournament victory
Up Next:
Charleston advances to day three of the MEC Tournament where the Golden Eagles will face Fairmont State on Friday, May 8 at 12:00 p.m. in Salem, Virginia.
