#4 Winthrop Opens Softball Championship with 6-0 Win over #5 Charleston Southern
By Winthrop Athletics
CLINTON, S.C. – Megan Powell tossed a four-hit shutout to help Winthrop softball open the Big South Conference Championship with a 6-0 victory over fifth-seeded Charleston Southern, Wednesday evening at the PC Softball Complex.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Buccaneers threatened in the top of the first as Weslin Jones led off with a double. After a walk by Blakley Kingsmore both runners were sacrificed over to put two runners in scoring position. Megan Powell induced a line out to third and issued a walk before getting a grounder to first to end the top half.
The Eagles threatened in the bottom of the first and were able to take advantage. Emma Jackson led off with a single and with two outs she stole second to get into scoring position. Katie Beck came through with a line shot to center just shot of the wall for a double that scored Jackson for a 1-0 lead.
After Peyton Bryden walked to put two runners on, Annelisa Winebarger doubled to left as Beck scored and Bryden raced around from first for a 3-0 lead.
Winthrop doubled its lead in the bottom of the fourth inning as Winebarger set the table with a leadoff triple to right. Grayson Buckner followed with a single to shallow left to score Winebarger from third. Later in the inning with Tabitha Perry and Buckner at second and third, Tia Beckham came through with a double to left center for a 6-0 advantage.
ON DECK
Winthrop advances to take on top-seeded Radford on Thursday, May 8 at 2:30 p.m. in the winner's bracket of the championship.