DECATUR, Ala-The Delta State University softball team swept a pair of games on Sunday to close out the UAH Charger Chill Out.

The Lady Statesmen (8-2) used timely hitting in both games, including the first in which DSU scored two runs in the top of the eighth to defeat Kentucky Wesleyan 4-3. DSU would also pound out some clutch hits in the 5-2 win over Columbus State to close out the tournament.

In game one, Kentucky Wesleyan (0-5) would jump on top 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning,. The leadoff hitter, Leah Emerick would blast a home run to put the Panthers on top.

The Panthers loaded the bases with one out following the homer, but freshman pitcher Brittany Gonzales would show her moxie by retiring the next two hitters to get out of the jam.

The Lady Statesmen would bounce back with two runs in the third frame to take a 2-1 lead. Brittany Eikner drove in Taylor Hughes with an RBI double and Courtney Clark's single to center drove in Eikner from third to make the score 2-1.

KWC would tie things up in the fifth inning with a Laura Helms sac fly that drove in Emerick.

There would be no more scoring in the final two innings of regular play. The game was sent to the international tiebreaker in the top of the eighth inning. Eikner was placed at second to begin the inning, Clark would again step up in the clutch, as she doubled to left field with one out, scoring Eikner.

DSU would add their fourth run on a Chelsea Carr base knock that plated Clark. The fourth run proved pivotal, because KWC added their third run of the game in the bottom of the eighth. However, Gonzales slammed the door shut on the Panthers, pushing her record to 3-0.

Clark and Hughes both recorded two hits in the win.

In game two, the Lady Statesmen found themselves against a Columbus State team that had lost three straight to some of the toughest competition in the tournament, including a 6-5 decision to 2009 National Runner-Up Alabama Huntsville.

This time, the two teams would take a bit longer before plating their first runs. DSU would strike first with three runs in the bottom of the third. The three runs proved to be enough, but the Lady Statesmen would add two more to seal the win.

Clark again knocked in Eikner to start the scoring in the inning. With the bases loaded, CSU pitcher Britni McCall would walk Paige Silverthorn to score the second run of the game.

In the fourth, the Lady Statesmen would add two more runs. Brooke Allgood drove in Crista Richard with a double to center field, and pinch runner Nikki D'Aurelio was driven in on another RBI base hit by Clark.
Clark finished the second game 3-for-4 with two RBI's. The senior had four of the eight RBI's for DSU in the two games.

Kate Moreland (2-1) allowed only two runs on nine hits to the potent CSU lineup, as she picked up her second win of the season.

McCall took the loss for CSU as she gave up five runs on seven hits.

The Lady Statesmen return to action at University Field on Wednesday, Feb. 24 as they play host to Belhaven University for a doubleheader beginning at 3 p.m.