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COLUMBUS - The Columbus State University softball team split their doubleheader against Nova Southeastern Wednesday, taking the first game 7-2 before dropping the second one 4-1. 

"When we're at home we've got to find a way to come up with sweeps no matter who we are playing," said head coach Brad Huskisson. "Nova Southeastern is a great team and hats off to their pitching, but we need to do a better job at getting off to more productive starts. We had some missed opportunities in both games so that's something we will focus on as we head into the weekend."

Columbus State (15-8) will head on the road for their next six games this weekend, starting with a doubleheader against Lincoln Memorial on Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.

Game One

The Lady Cougars watched Nova Southeastern jump out in front just as PBA did yesterday, this time thanks to a solo HR in the top of the first inning by the Sharks. But following that, starting pitcher Darby Demarest went to work inside the circle. The senior didn't allow another Shark to collect a hit all the way until the top of the sixth inning. 

In between the Lady Cougar bats had opportunites but weren't able to bring home any runs in the first four innings of the game. They had two on in the first and bases-loaded in the third but each time failed to get a run up on the scoreboard. But their luck at the plate finally changed in the bottom of the fifth inning when CSU started a rally to take the lead. 

Kirstin Reynolds hit an RBI-single on the infield scoring Hannah Rose Corbin to tie the game at one-apiece. After a popup it was Elizabeth Perdue coming through just like she did the previous night. The senior hit a two-RBI single into right center to give the Lady Cougars their first lead of the game. 

After plating three in the fifth Columbus State kept it rolling into the sixth. Maddie Dodson led the inning off with a solo home run, a rocket into left field for her second home run this season. After a Chandler DesRochers single, Corbin brought her home with a double off the wall. Two more RBI singles from Reynolds and Perdue gave the Lady Cougars a four-spot in the bottom of the sixth to bust the game open. 

Reynolds finished 2-for-4 at the plate with two runs and two RBI's while Perdue also grabbed two hits picking three RBI's.

Demarest (6-3) picked up the win in the circle, going 6.0 innings giving up just two hits and one earned while striking out nine.

Game Two

The second game belonged to the Sharks as Nova Southeastern took advantage of three early CSU errors, scoring four runs in the first three innings to jump in front 4-0. The Lady Cougars have been one of the best teams inside the Peach Belt Conference in the early going season regarding their fielding percentage but let a few balls slip away in the last two doubleheaders, finishing with four errors overall in the two games Wednesday. 

Harley Dawson came in relief for CSU in the second game throwing a strong 4.2 innings while giving up just three hits and recording four strikeouts. The junior did all she could to keep the Lady Cougars within striking distance unfortunately CSU was unable to take advantage of the opportunities they had at the plate. 

Columbus State left two on the base paths in the first, second and fourth innings allowing the Sharks to keep their 4-0 lead. The Lady Cougars would eventually get a run across the plate in the fourth thanks to an RBI-groundout from Corbin. 

The Lady Cougars finished with the same amount of hits as the Sharks in the second game but the three errors and eight left on base came back to cost CSU. 

Mary Horne led the way for the Lady Cougars in the second game going 2-for-3 at the plate with a single and a double.