CofC Softball Looks to Bounce Back After Tough Start to 2025 Season
It hasn’t been the start the Cougars envisioned, but there’s still plenty of softball left to be played. The College of Charleston softball team has faced a tough early-season schedule, battling ranked opponents and quality competition as they work to find their rhythm. At 3-10, the record doesn’t tell the whole story—this team has shown flashes of potential, resilience, and key individual performances that signal brighter days ahead.
With a mix of experienced veterans and promising newcomers, the Cougars have had standout moments on both sides of the ball, particularly in the pitching circle and at the plate. Now, as they head into the Dugout Classic on February 28th, they’ll look to turn those flashes into consistency and build momentum for the rest of the season.
Here’s a closer look at how the season has unfolded so far and what lies ahead for CofC softball. ⬇️
Charleston Invitational:
The Cougars opened their season at the Charleston Invitational, where they faced tough competition, going 1-4 across their matchups against Fordham, North Dakota State, and No. 17 Virginia Tech.
In their first game against Fordham, the Cougars fell 5-2 but showed resilience, returning from a 5-0 deficit in the 6th inning. Austy Miller and Kaytlin Stacey contributed key RBI singles, while Miller added two stolen bases. Ryley Kutter delivered a strong pitching performance, throwing 5.2 innings of scoreless ball with three strikeouts, and Izzy Alley kept the momentum going with 1.1 innings of shutout work.
The second game against North Dakota State ended in a 2-1 loss, but freshman pitcher Mackenzie Mathis impressed with a complete-game effort, striking out seven and allowing just one earned run. Audri Bates’ groundout in the 4th inning tied the game 1-1, but the Cougars couldn’t push ahead.
In the third game, Charleston bounced back with a 4-1 victory over Fordham. In her debut, Kendall Thackston tossed a complete game, striking out four while surrendering just one run. Offensively, Charleston wasted no time, with Kaytlin Stacey delivering an early RBI single and Sierra Paradis and Savannah Lockhart each launching solo home runs to give the Cougars an early 3-0 advantage. Fordham's lone run in the 6th inning wasn’t enough to threaten Charleston’s 4-1 lead.
In their second matchup with Virginia Tech, ranked No. 17, the Cougars struggled to keep up in an 11-0 loss in five innings. Mackenzie Mathis, however, continued to show promise with three strikeouts in 3.2 innings of work.
The following day, the Hokies completed the sweep with a 10-0 victory in another five-inning game. Still, freshman Campbell Schaen pitched admirably in her debut, allowing just three hits in 2.1 innings.
Despite going 1-4 at the Invitational, the Cougars had standout pitching from Kutter, Alley, Thackston, Mathis, and Schaen.
Offensively, Miller, Stacey, Wrightsman, Paradis, Lockhart, Bates, and Cannon showed promise in generating runs and contributing in key moments.
Weekend Series against Marshall and Queens:
On February 14th, the Cougars took on Marshall in a doubleheader. In the first game, Charleston held an early 2-0 lead before Marshall's offense erupted for eight runs in the 5th and 6th innings, leading to an 8-4 defeat. Kaytlin Stacey and Karly Smith provided key offensive contributions, while Jay Wrightsman impressed defensively with three outstanding center-field plays.
In the second game, Marshall jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first inning and held on for a 17-3 victory in a five-inning contest. Charleston did fight back in the 5th inning with RBIs from Jay Wrightsman, Sierra Paradis, and Audri Bates, and freshman Hailey Seymour recorded her first career hit as a pinch hitter.
The Cougars returned strong in the series' final game, securing a 6-4 win. Mackenzie Mathis earned her first career victory, pitching 4.1 innings with four strikeouts, and Ryley Kutter closed out the game with 2.2 innings of shutout relief for the save. The Cougars’ offense started quickly with four runs in the 1st inning, including RBI singles from Sierra Paradis and Karly Smith and a sacrifice fly by Karlee Hughes. Jay Wrightsman and Audri Bates each contributed two hits in the win, and Charleston’s defense and pitching were solid throughout.
On February 18th, Charleston faced Queens for the first time in program history. The Cougars showed early offensive sparks with Jay Wrightsman and Kaytlin Stacey reaching base and freshman Leela Langston getting her first career hit. However, a three-run home run by Queens in the 3rd inning was enough for them to hold on for a 3-0 victory.
Lowcountry Classic:
In their opening game of the Lowcountry Classic, Charleston struggled against Dartmouth, suffering a tough 10-2 loss. Despite the setback, Kennedy Rhue recorded her first hit in a Cougar uniform, and Leela Langston drove in her first career RBI. Mackenzie Mathis continued her strong start, striking out four in 2.2 innings of relief.
In the second game against Rhode Island, Charleston fought hard but fell 12-4. Jay Wrightsman stood out with three hits, including a triple, and Leela Langston had her first career multi-hit game. Sierra Paradis also contributed two hits, while Halle Cannon drove two RBIs with a double.
The Cougars bounced back in the next game, defeating Rhode Island 5-3. Kendall Thackston threw a complete game, allowing just four hits and earning her second win of the season. The Cougars’ offense was led by a four-run 3rd inning, highlighted by a two-RBI single from Kaytlin Stacey and a two-RBI infield single from Kennedy Rhue. Jay Wrightsman and Audri Bates each contributed two hits, and Brooke Tranum made several key defensive plays at third base.
In the final game of the Classic, Charleston suffered a 15-2 defeat to Ohio. The Cougars briefly held a 2-0 lead in the 1st inning thanks to a suicide squeeze by Langston and an RBI groundout by Brooke Tranum, but Ohio exploded for 15 unanswered runs to close out the game.
Looking Ahead:
While the Cougars’ record stands at 3-10, there are plenty of bright spots for the season ahead. Freshmen Mackenzie Mathis, Leela Langston, Hailey Seymour, and Campbell Schaen have been impressive, with transfer Kendall Thackston showing promise in the circle. The team has also displayed a balanced offensive attack, with Jay Wrightsman carrying a .333 batting average and Kaytlin Stacey leading the team with 5 RBIs. Players like Sierra Paradis, Savannah Lockhart, Austy Miller, and Audri Bates have all contributed to offensive production, providing depth in the lineup.
Defensively, the Cougars have several players who can make key plays, and the pitching staff, which includes a strong mix of veterans and promising newcomers, should continue to develop as the season progresses.
With more experience under their belts and continued growth across all aspects of the game, the Cougars are poised for an exciting rest of the season.
The Cougars will be back in action on February 28th at 10 a.m. against Mercer in the Dugout Classic, where they’ll look to build momentum for the remainder of the season.
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