The Charlotte Softball team celebrates a thrilling victory at the Coach Cooke Memorial tournament.
Charlotte Softball had an impressive opening day at the Coach Cooke Memorial tournament, achieving two significant victories against USC Upstate and Youngstown State. The first game saw Jenna Lord hit a walk-off home run, leading Charlotte to a thrilling 7-5 triumph. They continued their momentum into Game Two, overpowering Youngstown State with an 11-2 win, showcasing both batting and pitching excellence. With such a strong start, fans are excited about the upcoming matchups against Marist and Winthrop.
Charlotte, NC – What a day it’s been for Charlotte Softball! The team opened the Coach Cooke Memorial tournament in style, snagging two impressive victories against both USC Upstate and Youngstown State. The excitement was palpable as local fans gathered in Rock Hill, S.C., ready to cheer on the Niners!
The first match of the day was against the formidable USC Upstate Spartans, who had an impressive record of 15 wins and only one loss heading into the tournament. But the Niners were not here to back down. The game started off a tad rocky for Charlotte, as USC Upstate quickly jumped into the lead with a 2-0 score in the first inning. But our Niners weren’t discouraged!
In a stunning turn of events, Charlotte’s very own Jenna Lord stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the third inning and launched a magnificent grand slam, which was her fifth home run of this season. Suddenly, the Niners were ahead at 4-2! But the Spartans were relentless and found a way to reclaim the lead, bringing the score to 5-4 by the fifth inning.
With tensions running high, it was Charlotte’s Emma Shoemaker who delivered a gripping moment by tying the game with her very first collegiate home run during the bottom of the sixth. The crowd erupted in cheers as the scoreboard flashed 5-5. However, the excitement didn’t end there! With the game scoreless in the seventh, the teams found themselves heading into extra innings.
Then came the magic moment in the eighth inning! Jenna Lord was back at it again, smashing a two-run walk-off home run to seal the deal and secure the win for Charlotte. The Niners celebrated their thrilling comeback with a final score of 7-5, much to the delight of their fans. On the pitching side, Avery Shamblin and Aubrey Yarnall were a dynamic duo, with Yarnall ultimately taking the victory after pitching her 4.0 innings.
In the third inning, back-to-back home runs by Jenna Lord and Kari Shedrick put Charlotte ahead with a whopping lead of 6-0. The Niners weren’t just playing; they were dominating! Adding insult to injury for the opposition, Charlotte continued to score in both the fourth and sixth innings, finishing up the game with a record-breaking 11-2 victory in just six innings. The fans absolutely loved it!
The pitching game was just as solid, with Brooke Bowling taking the field to start and impressing with her 4.2 innings of work, helping the team secure the win. The Niners exhibited remarkable teamwork, showcasing both their hitting and pitching prowess.
With such a fantastic opening day at the Coach Cooke Memorial, fans are eager to see what’s next for Charlotte Softball! The team is set to play against Marist at 12:30 PM and then Winthrop at 3:00 PM on March 1, 2025. There’s a buzz in the air as Charlotte looks to build on their impressive start, aiming for continued success in their upcoming matchups.
With the team showing significant improvements in both their hitting and pitching, it’s clear this season is shaping up to be one for the books. If this opening day is any indication, the Niners are all set to leave their mark on this tournament!
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