CHARLESTON, S.C. — The North Carolina Central University softball team was held scoreless in a 3-0 shutout loss to Valparaiso University and an 8-0 run-rule loss to host Charleston Southern University in Sunday's last two games of the Buccaneer Invitational.
 
Senior pitcher/right fielder Courtney Mirabella was the only Eagle to reach base safely in both contests. She also struck out 11 batters in seven total innings pitched between the two contests.
 
NCCU (0-6) will make its home debut against Howard University on Friday with the first game of the doubleheader at Thomas Brooks Park slated for Noon.
 
FINAL: Valparaiso 3, N.C. Central 0
 
Sophomore Emily Richardson tossed a no hitter for the Crusaders. Richardson issued two walks and NCCU freshman Jacobia Johnson reached on a fielding error by the third baseman. Richardson (2-0) has not allowed an earned run in five appearances this season and she struck out 11 Eagles over her seven innings of work Sunday.
 
A perfect game was never in question as Mirabella drew a leadoff walk in the bottom of the first. However, the next 15 NCCU batters were retired until Johnson reached on the error with one out in the sixth. Freshman Kaitlyn Macon drew NCCU's last walk in the seventh.
 
Mirabella (0-3) hurled the first six innings for the Eagles and she allowed three runs (two earned) on six hits and six walks while striking out 10 for a second straight start.
 
Valpo (6-3) scored its first run on a bases loaded walk in the third. The Crusaders tacked on two insurance runs in the fifth. Senior Jenna Stauffenberg, who drew the go-ahead walk, picked up her second RBI with a single in the fifth.
 
FINAL: Charleston Southern 8, N.C. Central 0
 
Junior Jade Gandara hit a pair of home runs to highlight the Bucs eight-run output. Gandara's solo shot in the first put the CSU ahead for good in the first and her two-run blast in the third was her third of the season.
 
Six of the Buccaneers eight hits her of the extra-base variety. Freshman Sarah Brown also went deep in the fifth as the hosts completed the eight-run rule victory in five innings. Freshman Nina Del Rio added a pair of run-producing doubles.
 
Junior starter Arizona Pilgrim limited NCCU to two hits. Pilgrim (1-1), who had six strikeouts, gave up a leadoff single to Mirabella to start the game. However, she retired the next 14 batters she faced until sophomore Dalika Wallace singled with two outs in the fifth.
 
Senior Lauren Sitterson (0-1) made her first start and gave up four runs on four hits and three walks. Sitterson fanned four batters in her 2 2/3 innings of work.