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TIGERVILLE, S.C. - The Columbus State University softball team opened the 2019 season on Friday falling 6-2 to North Greenville. The game took place at Jan McDonald Field in Tigerville, S.C.Â
The two teams were scheduled to play a doubleheader. However due to darkness, the nightcap did not meet the five-inning requirement for a complete game.
"This wasn't the result that we were looking for," said head coach Brad Huskisson. "We just needed to settle down a bit and I did feel like things continued to improve throughout the day. Obviously it would have been nice to have completed the win in game two, but we only can focus on the things that we can control. We need to move on and prepare for another doubleheader tomorrow against Limestone."
North Greenville (2-3) jumped on Columbus State early with a pair of runs in the first. After CSU stranded two runners in scoring position in the top half of the frame, the Crusaders strung together three consecutive hits to plate two. A two-run double by Jaelin Griffin was the big blow in the inning.
In the third, the Lady Cougars put another pair on base, but once again failed to capitalize on the opportunity.
NGU went up 6-0 in the bottom of the third after a rough start to the inning for CSU. A throwing error put a runner on to begin before Lady Cougar starter Peyton Sorrells got the first out of the frame. But once again the Crusaders pieced together hits, getting four straight base knocks to push across three more runs. Brooklyn Stone capped off the inning for NGU with a single that made it 6-0.
Columbus State (0-1) had a rally opportunity in the sixth. Senior Elizabeth Perdue reached first via an infield single before a throwing error and a walk loaded the bases for the Lady Cougars with no outs. However, CSU was only able to push across one run on a Madisyn Brown single.
Five different CSU players recorded a hit in the game, including Kirstin Reynolds who drove home the Lady Cougar's second run in the seventh with a double. Morgan Elston was 1-for-2 with two walks and a run scored.
Sorrells (0-1) was hit with the loss allowing six runs (five earned) on nine hits.
Columbus State will be back in action taking on Limestone Saturday afternoon. The doubleheader is set to begin at noon in Gaffney, S.C.
