CHARLESTON, W. Va. - - Entering its Mountain East Conference opener receiving votes in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll, UVa-Wise softball began league play with a sweep of the University of Charleston. The Cavaliers won game one 4-2 and earned a shutout of the Golden Eagles in game two by a score of 3-0 Sunday afternoon.

UVa-Wise (13-5, 2-0 MEC) started game one scoring two runs in the first inning. A two-out RBI triple off the bat of Bridget Henzel plated Samantha Ely before an error allowed the Cavaliers to push across a second run.

Charleston (13-7, 0-2 MEC) would get on the board in the bottom of the first when Shelby Ume hit a single to left field scoring Ann-Judie Martin.

The Golden Eagles' Ume would score to tie the game up, 2-2, in the home half of the third when Emily Dutton singled to center field.

The Cavs would take the lead back in the top of the fourth inning when Monica Brandts scored Nikki Smith and Taylor Creasey on a two-RBI double to center field to go up 4-2.

Both Henzel and Creasey went 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI while Smith was 1-for-3 with a run.

Taylor Brandts improved to 7-2 as she fanned five and scattered six hits in seven innings of work.

Jessie Rowe tossed a complete game for the Golden Eagles as she fell to 6-3 on the season. Rowe had three strikeouts and allowed five hits.

Neither team would score in game two until the bottom of the fifth frame. With the bases loaded, Lucindy Lawson would reach on a two base error, allowing Zoe Millard and Kelsy Padgett to score and put UVa-Wise up 2-0.

The Cavs put one more score on the board in the final inning of the day. A walk, passed ball, and error would place Kaylee Jones on third and in position to score. Jones would get across home plate on the next play as Creasey recorded her second RBI of the afternoon on a single to right field.

Millard was 2-for-4 with a run while Creasey was 1-for-3 with an RBI.

Raychel Lapallo (3-0) earned her first shutout of the season as she scattered four hits and fanned three in a complete game effort.

Carlee Lucas fell to 7-4 for the Golden Eagles as she allowed five hits and struck out five across seven innings.

UVa-Wise will return to action tomorrow with a matchup against West Virginia State University. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.