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By: Stephen Williams

COLUMBUS – Taking on two of the top 20 teams in the country, the Columbus State University softball team fell twice in Saturday's Peach Belt Conference-Gulf South Conference Southern Softball Showdown. The games were played at the South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus.
 
Columbus State lost its opener 13-5 against No. 18 Alabama Huntsville and then dropped a tough 1-0 contest versus sixth-ranked Valdosta State. The Lady Cougars will take on Delta State and North Alabama on Sunday at 11:30 a.m. and 2:00 p.m., respectively.
 
"Some good things happened today," said head coach Brad Huskisson. "We need to be proud of how we played and learn from it, but at the same time be bitter about the fact that we did take a couple losses."
 
Game One
 
After a two-run home run in the top of the first, Columbus State (0-2) got its offense rolling in its first trip to the plate. Kia Smith got things rolling with a leadoff single and Katie White reached on a fielding error.
 
Attempting to advance the runners with a bunt, Calli Star forced the hand of the defense and the Chargers threw the ball away at first allowing Smith to come around and score. McKenzie Fagioli followed with a RBI single and Kailey Boone added a squeeze bunt to bring Star home and give the Lady Cougars a 3-2 lead after one.
 
Columbus State added another pair of runs in the second started by a one-out single from Lee Anne Rees. Following a stolen base and a sacrifice bunt, Katie White knocked a clean single into centerfield to spread the lead to two. White stole second and then scored on another UAH throwing error.
 
Alabama Huntsville's offense took over from there as the Chargers scored 11 unanswered runs over the final five innings. UAH connected for a two-run home run in the third to cut the lead down to one and took the lead for good behind a three-run shot in the fourth.
 
The Chargers added three more runs in the sixth and seventh innings for the final tally.
 
Hanna Manley (0-1) started in the circle for the Lady Cougars, allowing six runs on six hits over 2.2 innings. Sydney Barker and Peyton Sorrells each saw time in the circle.
 
Game Two
 
A first-inning run proved to be the difference in the second Lady Cougar contest of the day.
 
Columbus State hit the opening batter of the game and issued a walk to the second to put a pair of runners on. After an illegal pitch advanced the runners, starting pitcher Darby Demarest nearly wiggled off the hook. The freshman struck out back-to-back batters, but a passed ball brought home the game's first run.
 
That run would hold up for the Blazers, however not without threats from the Lady Cougars.
 
Smith singled to lead off the bottom of the first, but the speedy centerfielder would be left on second base.
 
Rachel Rhodes picked up a one-out single in the second and Smith walked with one away in the third. Like in the first inning though, both runners were left on.
 
The Lady Cougars went down in order in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings before Kailey Boone ripped a single back through the middle with one down in the seventh. The next two hitters couldn't move her around giving Valdosta State the victory.
 
Demarest (0-1) lasted four innings in the circle giving up just the one run. Barker went the final three innings, holding the Blazers scoreless and to just two hits.