WICHITA, Kan. — For the first time in program history, the Charlotte 49ers softball team is conference champions.
The No. 2-ranked 49ers visited the Wichita State Shockers for the American Athletic Conference Saturday afternoon, and a dominant run from Charlotte meant victory. The 49ers left the diamond with a 10-1 win and a program-first conference championship.
Part of Charlotte's victory came from Arianna Rodi, who hit a pair of home runs - one of which was a second-inning grand slam. Rodi went 2-for-3 for the day while Makalah Mitchell and Abigail Knight both left 3-for-3.
On the mound, pitcher Sam Gress had six strikeouts and kept seven Wichita State runners on base through four innings, only allowing four hits and four walks.
Wichita State only got on the board with one run at the top of the fourth inning, but by that point, Charlotte had already stacked the deck with 10 of them.
Six Charlotte players were named to the all-tournament team:
- Rayna Blackwell, catcher
- Ella Chancey, infielder
- Sam Gress, pitcher
- Arianna Rodi, infielder
- Abigail Knight, outfielder
- Makalah Mitchell, outfielder
Up next for Charlotte: the NCAA Championship. It's the team's second time in program history and second consecutive season to make the tournament. The 49ers enter it this year on a 16-game winning streak, one of the longest active streaks nationally.
