MONTGOMERY, Ala. - The Columbus State University softball team came away with a 5-0 shutout win against Auburn Montgomery on Wednesday. The non-conference game took place at the Auburn Montgomery softball complex. 

The Lady Cougars started the game off with a bang, exploding for four runs in the opening inning. Hannah Rose Corbin and Morgan Elston would combo for two singles to open the game with Elyse Ambrose then drawing a walk to load the bases. 

After an Elizabeth Perdue fly out to center it was Kirstin Reynolds who had the chance to deliver the crushing hit. That she did as she blasted a pitch over the wall in left center putting Columbus State quickly on top 4-0. 

"That was a big time hit by Reynolds to bust the game open early on for us," said head coach Brad Huskisson. "We've slept-walk through some early innings lately so it was nice to see us jump out in front and then let Darby go from there."

Darby Demarest started in the circle and walked the first batter before retiring the side on three consecutive strikeouts. As it has been all season, the strikeouts would become a consistent theme throughout the game. 

Demarest (10-4) didn't allow a hit until two-outs in the third inning when Auburn Montgomery reached on a bunt single. She would then retire 12 of the final 15 batters of the game, allowing just one more hit on an infield single. 

The senior finished with 14 strikeouts in the game, the eighth time this season she has cracked double-digit strikeouts in a game. 

Corbin would add the only other run of the game in the second inning when she hit her fifth home run this season. The freshman leads Columbus State in RBI's with 24. 

Demarest threw the complete game shutout going 7.0 innings giving up two hits with 14 strikeouts. 

Reynolds would finish 2-for-4 at the plate grabbing all four of her RBI's on the grand slam. Corbin also went 2-for-4 with two runs and an RBI on her solo home run.

Columbus State will take on conference opponent Flagler in a doubleheader on Saturday, March 30. First pitch at Cougar Field is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.