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COLUMBUS - The Columbus State University softball team split their doubleheader against Flagler on Saturday, winning the first game 3-1 before dropping the second one 5-4. 

"We got a big win against a Flagler team that was undefeated in PBC play to start," said head coach Brad Huskisson. "They've got two phenomenal pitchers who have been dealing against everyone this season. I thought we got enough hits on the day but unfortunately in that second game most of those were empty hits and it cost us as we stranded way too many runners out there."

Columbus State (25-11, 6-2 PBC) will head on the road for a midweek doubleheader against West Alabama Wednesday, April 3. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.

Game One

In a low scoring pitchers duel, Darby Demarest helped lead the way for CSU inside the circle keeping the Saints bats at bay. The senior allowed just two hits and one late run in the sixth inning while racking up 12 strikeouts. It was the ninth time this season that Demarest has recorded double-digit strikeouts in a game. 

CSU got on the board first in the bottom of the second when Elizabeth Perdue and Paris Poston hit back-to-back singles to put two runners aboard. Reigning Peach Belt Conference Freshman of the Week Madeline Parker would hit a sac-fly scoring Perdue to make it 1-0. 

The score would remain that way until the fifth inning when the Lady Cougars finally struck again. 

Hannah Rose Corbin drew a two-out walk on a full count pitch to put a runner on the bases when Morgan Elston then sent a homer just inside the left field foul pole to tack on two more for CSU. 

Demarest (11-4) had retired eight straight batters including six strikeouts in a row before Flagler would end the shutout with a solo home run in the top of the sixth. 

The win was a historical one for coach Brad Huskisson. It was his 500^th win overall in his coaching career between his time here at Columbus State and Brescia. 

Game Two

The lights-out pitching continued into the second game as the two teams combined for just two runs through the first four innings of play. 

After giving up a solo home run, CSU responded in the bottom of the second thanks to another sac-fly from Parker that would score Perdue tying the game at 1-apiece. 

That's where the score would remain until the fifth inning when two costly errors by the Lady Cougars came back to bite them. 

With one out and runners on first and second, the Saints took advantage from an error on a groundball throw to first scoring one run and putting runners on second and third. 

Another grounder on the infield with a throwing error to home plate would score two more runs for the Saints giving them the 4-1 lead. 

Columbus State would have a chance at redemption in the bottom of the frame when they loaded the bases. But a strikeout looking would end the threat sending the Lady Cougars back to their dugout empty-handed. 

CSU tried to pull the improbable comeback in the bottom of the seventh when they started a late rally. With two outs and down to their final strike, Elston ripped a double into left to put runners on second and third. 

In a full count and once again down to their final strike, Elyse Ambrose smacked a high fly ball into right that continued to carry back to the wall until it went over for a three-run home run making it a 5-4 game. 

After Reynolds would draw a full count walk it brought the power hitter Perdue back up to the plate representing the game winning run. But another strikeout for Columbus State would give Flagler the split as they escaped with the win. 

Corbin (9-3) was tagged with the loss despite giving up just one earned with five strikeouts in her five innings of work. 

Ambrose finished 1-for-3 with the big home run giving her three RBI's in the game.