Knoxville, Tenn. - Freshman Bailey Curry hit a grand slam to lead the Toledo softball team to a 7-5 win over Charleston Southern to close out the Tennessee Invitational on Sunday at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium. The Rockets finished the weekend with a 3-2 mark to run their record to 10-5 on the year.

"It was a great weekend for us," said Toledo head coach Kristen Butler. "We were competitive in every game and I am very proud of the way we fought against No. 5 Tennessee. Once again, our pitching was strong and our bats are gradually getting better each weekend."

Charleston Southern scored a pair of runs in the top of the first inning, but Toledo came right back to cut the lead in half in the bottom of the first. The Rockets took a 3-2 lead in the second inning before Curry's home run broke the game open. CSU came back to score three runs in the fifth to make things interesting in the late innings. The Rockets' lead proved to be too big as Toledo defeated the Buccaneers for the second time this weekend.

How it Happened

• Charleston Southern took an early lead when the second batter of the game hit a solo home run. A Toledo error, a walk and a single loaded the bases for the Buccaneers. Another walk forced in an unearned run to make the score 2-0.
• Freshman Bailey Curry reached in the bottom half on a fielder's choice and was able to score all the way from first on a clutch two-out RBI double by junior Kaitlyn Bergman.
• The Rockets put it all together for their highest scoring inning this year in the second. Senior Ashley Rausch started the rally with a one-out walk, then junior Megan Choate singled and advanced to second on the throw. Freshman Brittney Davis singled down the left field line to score Rausch and tie the game, 2-2.
• Freshman Kylie Norwood gave the Rockets the lead with an RBI single up the middle which scored Choate. Norwood stole second and Ill walked to load the bases for Curry's first career grand slam. 
• Junior Heather Webb came on in relief in the second inning and was given a 7-2 lead to work with. Webb set down the Bucs in order in both the third and fourth innings.
• CSU battled back with a walk and a one-out single in the fifth. Charleston Southern hits its second home run of the game to cut Toledo's lead to 7-5.
• The Rockets left the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth inning, but the lead was enough as junior Kailey Minarchick replaced Webb to record a seven-out save.

"Playing in this stadium was a wonderful experience for our team," said Butler. "It is an environment that we need to be used to once the post season starts. I couldn't be more proud of the way they handled themselves this weekend."

The Rockets continue their spring break trip with double headers on Tuesday, March 6 against Seattle and Wednesday, March 7 against Portland State.