By BRYAN GRISHAM

CSCC Sports Information

LADY COUGARS 3-2

LADY EAGLES 2-0

The Cleveland State softball team celebrated sophomore day at Lady Cougar Field on Saturday afternoon by sweeping a Region VII Conference doubleheader from the Dyersburg State Lady Eagles.

Pitching and clutch hitting carried the Lady Cougars in both games as they took two very close wins, 3-2 in the first game and 2-0 in game two.

The Lady Eagles scratched out a run in the top of the first to take a quick lead in game one. Kylie Underwood and Holly Gibbons each singled while Laura Bell drove in the first run of the day with a single.

The Lady Cougars tied the game in the third as Leslie Still singled and came all the way around to score on a single from Sydney Howell.

Dyersburg State seesawed back into the lead in the top of the seventh as a pair of Lady Cougar miscues pushed a run across for a 2-1 advantage.

Down to their last three outs, the Lady Cougars mounted a rally. Amber Swaney drew a free pass and Sara O'Rear reached on an error to set the stage. Maura Ditto then ended game one with a walk-off two-run double to get the win in dramatic fashion.

Ida Watson went the distance for the Lady Cougars (16-23, 11-18) to get the win allowing only four hits and striking out seven. Stephanie Murphy took the loss for the Lady Eagles.

"We started slowly, but were able to get two big wins on sophomore day," stated Lady Cougar coach Katie Willingham. "Ida and Kelsey did a terrific job on the mound for us and we were able to come up with the big hit when we needed it. The girls never quit and I'm proud of them."

The Lady Cougars scored all the runs that Kelsey Capella would require in the fourth inning as the Cleveland State fireballer tossed a complete game three-hit shutout at the Lady Eagles in game two. Paige Mayer singled in a run in the fourth to put the home team on top 1-0.

Amber Covington later crushed a big fly in the sixth inning to double the Cleveland State lead to 2-0. Capella finished as strong as she started as she made quick work of the Lady Eagles the rest of the way. Capella also fanned 11 Lady Eagles along the way. Bell took the loss for the Lady Eagles.

The teams will finish their four-game series on Sunday afternoon with a twinbill starting at noon.