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By: Stephen Williams

COLUMBUS – In its final tune-up before conference play begins, the Columbus State University softball team split its doubleheader against Palm Beach Atlantic on Wednesday. The games were played at Cougar Field.
 
Columbus State (12-12-1) dropped the opening contest 11-2 before rebounding for a 7-4 victory in the nightcap.
 
"We didn't get off to a great start today, but it was good to see the girls bounce back in the second game," head coach Brad Huskisson said. "Now the intensity turns up to another level going into Peach Belt Conference games."
 
Columbus State will be at home on Sunday for its opening PBC doubleheader against Georgia Southwestern. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
 
Game One
 
The Lady Cougars got off to a great start in the opener, as Keeli Waugh put CSU on the board with a leadoff home run in the bottom of the first.
 
From there, Palm Beach Atlantic (13-10) would score 11 consecutive runs in a five-inning victory.
 
Waugh scored CSU's second run as well, touching the plate on Calli Star's double in the fifth. Waugh was 2-for-3 in the loss.
 
Game Two
 
After giving up a run in the top of the first, Columbus State answered back with two of its own in the bottom half.
 
Kia Smith singled and two walks followed to load the bases. Elizabeth Perdue knotted the game at one with a RBI single and Savanna Turvy drew a walk to push CSU in front.
 
PBA seesawed in front with two in the second, but the Lady Cougars answered right back. Fagioli drove home Smith with a two-out single in the bottom half.
 
In the third, Kayleigh Briant and Perdue led off with singles a pulled off a double steal to move both into scoring position. Brittany Mitchell gave the Lady Cougars the lead back with a run-scoring groundout.
 
Columbus State added some cushion in the fourth, getting RBI knocks from Fagioli, Perdue and Turvy to make it a 7-3 game.
 
Palm Beach Atlantic added a run in the sixth and loaded the bases with two outs. However, Briant put an end to the rally with a great diving catch in foul territory to close out the frame.
 
Smith and Perdue each were 4-for-4 at the plate in the second game, with Smith scoring twice and Perdue driving in two. Fagioli was 2-for-2 with two RBIs and two walks.
 
Helen Snavely (2-4) picked up the win, allowing three runs in four innings of work. Darby Demarest tallied the save after tossing the final three innings.