CHARLESTON, S.C. – Campbell batters clubbed five home runs in Friday's 15-3 series opening win at Charleston Southern.
 
Caroline Smith hit a grand slam, Madison Herring blasted a 3-run shot, while Rachel McCollum, Lisabeth McCurry and Cassie Wanchek added 2-run blasts for the Camels (19-23, 7-9 Big South), who scored 13 of their 15 runs off long balls.
 
Megan Richards (13-9) went the distance for the Camels, allowing three runs on six hits with six strikeouts in six innings.  Campbell chased Charleston Southern starter Arizona Pilgrim (8-10) after she allowed six runs on three hits – including two bombs - and walked four over 1 1/3 innings.
 
Campbell led 4-0 before CSU recorded an out after McCollum launched her 15th shot of the season and McCurry her 12th in the first inning.  Herring's 3-run blast was the big blow in a 4-run second.
 
Freshman Cassie Wancheck's first career shot came in a six-run sixth inning, while Smith's bases-clearing blast closed out Campbell's highest offensive output since a 16-2 win at Virginia on Feb. 28.
 
Smith finished 3-of-4 with a triple in addition to her ninth homer, and five RBI. McCurry and Herring had three RBI each, while McCollum and Wancheck finished with two RBI apiece during a 13-hit output.
 
Caitlyn Emberson hit her seventh homer of the year for Charleston Southern, which scored sing runs in the third, fourth and fifth innings and finished with five hits on the night.
 
The Camels and Bucs conclude the 3-game set with a 1 p.m. doubleheader on Saturday.