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By: Josh Fuller

COLUMBUS – The Columbus State University softball team split a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader against UNC Pembroke Saturday afternoon at Cougar Field.

UNC Pembroke (13-10-1, 4-2 PBC) rallied to take game one 4-3 before the Lady Cougars won 5-1 in the nightcap.

Columbus State (15-10, 3-1) will now go to Florida during spring break to take on Palm Beach Atlantic on Tuesday, March 15. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. in West Palm Beach, Fla.

During the games, CSU collected money for the West Central Georgia Cancer Coalition auctioning off their jerseys as part of Cancer Awareness Day. 

Game One

The day started out great for the Lady Cougars as Peyton Sorrells threw a perfect top half of the first before CSU put a two spot on the board in their half of the inning. Kia Smith got things started with a one-out single to left before swiping second.

After McKenzie Fagioli extended the inning drawing a walk, Kailey Boone lined a single through the right side of the infield. The speedy Smith rounded third and barely slid by the tag of UNCP catcher Toni Nelson. On the tag attempt, Nelson dropped the ball which allowed the heads-up Fagioli to score all the way from first on the play.

Sorrells continued to pitch well in the circle for the Lady Cougars. She was perfect through three innings until UNCP collected its first hit in the game with one-out in the fourth. The Braves threatened in the frame, but a nice play by Calli Star at short turned into a double play keeping UNC Pembroke off the board.

In the top of the sixth, UNCP threatened again after an infield single and a one-out error put two on. Sorrells would then get a grounder right at Katie White at third, who stepped on the bag and threw across the diamond to complete the double play.

CSU added an insurance run in the bottom half of the sixth as White hustled out a two-out infield single to shortstop that scored Boone.

Things finally went UNC Pembroke's way in the seventh. Abbey Walters led the inning off with a solo home run to straightaway center. A walk and a Nelson singled chased Sorrells from the game as Sydney Barker entered. With runners on the corners, UNCP tried to squeeze home a run, but the bunt barely stayed in play right in front of the plate. Rees calmly tagged the runner for the first out of the inning.

After a walk loaded the bases, Barker got a soft popup to bring CSU just an out away from victory. However, a walk and a single followed giving the Braves a 4-3 lead.

CSU was able to put the tying run on third with two outs in the seventh, but Katie Saunders slammed the door shut to cap off her complete game performance.

Columbus State left 10 on during the game and was just 2-for-12 with runners in scoring position.

Rees was 2-for-2 in the game while Boone was 1-for-2 with a run scored and RBI.

Walter was 2-for-3 for the Braves. Saunders (8-5) allowed just three runs (two earned) on eight hits.

Sorrells allowed three runs on five hits in 6.1 innings of work. Barker (4-3) took the loss for the Lady Cougars allowing a run in 0.2 innings.

Game Two

The nightcap started out similar as Columbus State took a quick 2-0 lead after a full inning of play.

White was the ignitor in the bottom of the first as she laced a single to center to begin the inning before stealing second. After moving to third on a groundout, she crossed the plate on a wild pitch.

Three walks would then load the bases for Rees, who continued her good day finding a hole through the left side of the infield to chase home Star to put CSU up 2-0.

UNC Pembroke started the third inning in grand style getting three singles off of CSU starter Hanna Manley. After a popup, Walters put the Braves on the board with a sharp single that scored one. However, Manley was able to navigate around the trouble getting a fly out and a groundout to end the threat.

UNCP threatened again in the fourth and fifth putting a runner into scoring position in each frame before Manley retired the side.

CSU would finally add on in the fifth. Star walked with one out before moving to second on a groundout. Needing a clutch hit to keep the inning alive, Boone drove in another run with a single to center to make it a 3-1 game. Rachael Rhodes capped off the inning with a two-run home run over the left field wall.

From there, Manley (4-3) cruised to the victory. She allowed just one run on six hits in the complete game effort.

Rhodes was perfect in game two going 2-for-2 with the two-run homer. Boone and Rees each drove in a run.

Walters (3-3) took the loss after pitching just the first inning for the Braves. Jamie Johnson was 2-for-4 at the plate for UNCP.