The University of Charleston softball team's debut in the NCAA Division II Women's College World Series was one filled with memories for the Golden Eagles, but few of them good.
UC pitcher Alli Burdette gave up a pair of three-run home runs as Adelphi University sent the Golden Eagles into the elimination bracket with a 10-4 UC loss in the first round of WCWS on Tuesday in Denver.
Charleston (50-11) will play Southern Arkansas (51-9) at 9:30 p.m. Wednesday in an elimination game. Southern Arkansas lost to North Alabama 9-0 in the first round Tuesday.
The Golden Eagles were able to rally after AU's first home run, by designated player Megan Lewis in the first inning, which gave the Panthers a 3-0 lead. UC got two runs back in the first after Rachelle Toppings scored on a wild pitch and Alyssa Stanley's single through the right side scored Laura Ashlock.
Charleston tied the game in the fourth on an Alayna Carlson solo home run, then took its first lead of the game after Bethany Williams was hit by a Lindsay Mapes pitch with the bases loaded, scoring Jenna Evans from third.
But the Panthers (35-20) scored seven unanswered runs, including a five-run sixth inning. After Christina Palmenteri scored on a wild pitch and Nicoletta Cuccio cracked an RBI triple, Nicole Camera sent a Burdette pitch over the left field fence to bring home three more runs.
Burdette pitched four total innings, allowing seven runs, all earned on five hits with two strikeouts and three walks. Jessie Rowe relieved Burdette with no outs in the top of the fourth and pitched 1 1/3 innings, allowing three runs, all earned, on five hits. Burdette returned in the sixth, faced just two batters and was relieved by Alexis Bandin after that.
Evans went 2 for 3 with a run scored for the Golden Eagles. Mapes pitched a complete game, allowing four runs, three earned on six hits, striking out one and walking seven.