Charleston Softball Powers Through Strong Week, Secures Key Wins Against SC State and UNCW

The Cougs are now 5-1 in CAA Play

Charleston Softball continued to impress this week, going 4-1 in games against South Carolina State and UNCW. This successful stretch moved the team to an overall record of 11-15 and a strong 5-1 mark in conference play.

Series vs South Carolina State

The Cougars kicked off the week with a trip to South Carolina State, where they secured two wins in a doubleheader. In the first game, Charleston’s offense was a force to be reckoned with, as contributions came from all across the roster. Karlee Hughes showcased her speed with three stolen bases, while freshman Sally Trent delivered a standout performance with a three-hit, three-RBI game. Bricelyn Bedenbaugh had her first career home run as a pinch hitter in the fifth inning. Kaytlin Stacey had a monster game, finishing with two hits, two RBIs, and crossing the plate three times. The Cougars’ bats were on fire as they cruised to a dominant 15-7 victory, overwhelming South Carolina State with their offensive firepower.

In the second game, pitching was the driving force behind Charleston's win. Lily Thorpe threw her first career complete game, striking out four batters and retiring the final five to seal the victory. The Cougars capitalized on SC State's errors and executed heads-up baserunning from Julia Sitterding and Austy Miller to generate their runs. Charleston held on for a 2-1 win, giving them a series sweep and ample momentum heading into their weekend conference matchup.

Conference Play vs UNCW

Over the weekend, Charleston secured a crucial series win, taking two out of three games against UNCW to improve to 5-1 in CAA play. After a tough loss in the first game of the series on Friday, the Cougars bounced back with a gritty 2-1 victory in the first game on Saturday. Charleston jumped out to a 1-0 lead after Jay Wrightsman singled and scored on a double by Sierra Paradis. UNCW tied the game in the fourth, but Charleston responded in the fifth. Wrightsman led off with a single, stole second, and then scored the go-ahead run after Samantha Horn hit into a rundown. Ryley Kutter pitched a complete game, closing the contest by retiring the final three batters to seal the win.

The second game of the day turned into a defensive showdown, with Mackenzie Mathis throwing a complete-game shutout, striking out five batters, and not allowing a single run. Wrightsman and Stacey made key defensive plays, with Wrightsman laying out for a diving catch in the seventh inning and Stacey gunning down a runner at third base in the eighth. In the bottom of the eighth, Halle Cannon reached base after being hit by a pitch, setting up pinch runner Audri Bates to steal second. A wild pitch allowed Bates to race home for the game-winning run, and the Cougars earned a 1-0 victory in extra innings, securing the series win.

Looking Ahead

With this week’s performances, Charleston now sits in fourth place in the CAA standings, riding a wave of momentum as they approach the remainder of the season. The Cougars have gone 8-3 in March, demonstrating impressive balance on both sides. Whether it’s timely batting, dominant pitching, airtight defense, or savvy baserunning, Charleston has shown they can win in any situation. This versatility puts them in an excellent position for success moving forward. The Cougars will return to action on March 18th, when they face Winthrop at home.

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