The Culver-Stockton softball team had a successful home opener Saturday afternoon, sweeping Park University in a Heart of America Athletic Conference doubleheader at Himsl Field.

The Wildcats banged out 15 hits and scored 12 runs in a 12-4, six-inning victory in the first game of the day. In the nightcap, C-SC used escaped a base-loaded situation in the seventh inn to slip past the Pirates 7-6.

The 12 runs and 15 hits in the opener were season highs for the Wildcats, who improved to 16-10 overall and 3-1 in the Heart.

The top four hitters in the Wildcat lineup were a combined 9-for-12 with seven runs scored and eight runs batted in.

Leading that group was Samantha Vetter who finished the game 3-for3 with four runs scored and two RBI. Aleki Ulu was 2-for-3 with three runs batted in, while Ryley Pecina had two hits and two RBI. The final member of that quartet was Leila Lopez, who was 2-for-2 with a two runs scored and two sacrifices.

In addition, to the top of the lineup, the number nine hitter, Lula Sassano, went 2-for-3 with two runs batted in.

In the circle, Cabria Childers pitched in and out of trouble to record her seventh victory of the season. Childers allowed 10 hits and four runs while walking one and striking out two.

The highlight of the day came in the second inning when Kataleena Hunt led off with a double. That double was the 46th of Hunt's career, tying her with Cassie Burris '19 for most doubles in school history.

In the nightcap, C-SC trailed 3-1 and 6-5 before rallying to take the lead on two occasions, including for a final time in the sixth inning.

C-SC 3-1 in the second inning when the hosts exploded for four runsmin the inning to take a 5-3 lead. Lopez started the uprising with a two-run single before Pecina followed with a run-scoring single. Ulu finished the inning with another RBI single to score Pecina.

After the Pirates scored three runs in the fifth inning, C-SC came back with two more runs in the sixth inning.

Lauren Ferguson led off the frame with a pinch hit single and advanced to second on a sacrifice by Payton Todd. Sassano reach on an error to put runners at first and third. After Sassano stole second, Vetter drove both home with a single to give C-SC a 7-6 lead.

The Pirates loaded the bases in the seventh inning with one out; however, freshman Cameran Woodall induced a popup on the infield for the second out, and then Cierra Bush made a diving stop on a ball hit up the middle and flipped to Sophie Meyer at shortstop for a force out at second base to preserve the victory.

Woodall pitched the final two innings in relief of starter Sophie Stuart to pick up her second victory in three decisions. Woodall did not allow a run  on just one base hit. She walked three and struck out two.

Ulu finished 3-for-3 with two runs batted in to lead the offense. Lopez and Pecina each had two hits while Lopez and Vetter recorded two RBI each.

C-SC is scheduled to play at Benedictine College next Saturday, March 21, in Atchison, Kan. The first of two game is set to begin at 1 p.m.