COLUMBIA, S.C. – No. 24 University of South Alabama softball sophomore Chloe Rathburn scored freshman Kaleigh Todd from second with a seventh-inning, walk-off double to give the Jaguars a 3-2 win over Charleston Southern on Friday to open the 2015 Carolina Classic in Columbia, S.C.
 
Todd reached first when CSU second baseman Stevi Johnson dropped a throw to the bag and advanced to second on USA junior center fielder Stephanie Pilkington's single down the left line. Rathburn then went to deep center with her team-leading 14^th RBI of the year to allow Todd around.
 
The victory marks South Alabama's third of the walk-off variety this season.
 
"I thought it was a well-played game," said USA head coach Becky Clark. "[We] played some pretty good defense. The defense had pressure applied to them, and they rose to the occasion. Offensively, we had some good at bats when we had a chance to break it open. We just didn't get the hit that we needed; that's going to happen sometimes.
 
"We're just looking to improve with every game this weekend," she concluded. "That wasn't our best, but we're going to try to continue to get better and better each time we go out."   
 
USA (12-3) outhit the Buccaneers, 7-3, in the contest, as seven different Jaguars recorded a hit apiece. Junior third baseman Emily Messer was 1-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored. Pilkington was 1-for-2 with a walk, reaching for the 15^th time in as many games this year.
 
Freshman Kalen McGill (6-0) earned the win after pitching an inning in relief, striking out a batter to end the top of the seventh after dealing a leadoff walk and a single. Starters Devin Brown went six frames, striking out six to four walks and allowing a pair of runs (both earned) on as many hits.
 
CSU's Jennifer Giles took the loss, falling to 3-2 on the year after giving up three runs (two earned) on seven hits, while striking out two to four walks.
 
USA jumped ahead to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when senior left fielder Blair Johnson was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, scoring Messer from third after she led off with a single through the left side. Todd drew a walk before she and Messer moved up a base apiece on Pilkington sacrifice bunt. Rathburn drew a walk to load the bags for Johnson.
 
The Jaguars doubled their lead in the bottom of the fourth when pinch-runner Gwen Jones came around on Messer's sacrifice fly to left field. Jones came on for senior first baseman Amanda Herron, who singled to center field. Jones stole third after moving to second on senior catcher Alex Breeden's single through the left side.
 
Charleston Southern knotted scoring in the bottom of the sixth inning on Cheyenne Gandara's two-run home run, which also plated Johnson, who was dealt a leadoff walk.
 
The Jaguars face Tennessee State at 9 a.m. CT on Saturday. A link to live stats can be found by accessing the Jaguar softball schedule page. In-game Twitter updates are provided via the official USA softball handle, @USAJaguarSports.
 
For more information about South Alabama athletics, check back with www.usajaguars.com, and follow the Jaguars at www.twitter.com/USAJaguarSports. Season tickets for all Jaguar athletic events can be purchased by calling (251) 461-1USA (1872).