YOUNG HARRIS, Ga. - Despite rallying late, the Columbus State University softball team fell 11-7 to No. 8 Lincoln Memorial in the final game of the Young Harris College Softball Tournament on Sunday. The game was played at E.D. Rivers Field in Young Harris, Ga.

CSU (6-7) found themselves in an early 7-0 hole after the Railsplitters (10-1) jumped on Cougar starter Hannah Rose Corbin. LMU got two in the first thanks to a two-run homer from Emma Webb before putting a five-spot on the board in the third.

After a comebacker took Corbin out of the game in the third, the next five LMU hitters reached base. To make matters worse, Lincoln Memorial hit two homers in the frame, a two-run shot from Sierra Hucklebee and a three-run blast from Audrey Petoskey. 

From there, Columbus State would start the comeback attempt. In their half of the third, Morgan Elston got one run back with a solo home run to center before the Cougars had a multi-homer inning of their own in the fourth. With two-outs, Emily Holmes went deep to left before Maddie Dodson extended the inning with a single up the middle to bring Paris Poston to the plate. The sophomore pulled a fly ball over the right-field wall to make it a 7-4 game.

CSU had a chance to do more damage in the fifth loading the bases with a single and two walks. However, a strikeout ended the threat.

The Cougar defense let pitcher Harley Dawson down in the top of the sixth. With a runner on second and two outs, a fielding error made the score 8-4 and also allowed LMU to continue adding on insurance runs. Following a single, Petoskey would provide the final blow with her second three-run homer of the night to put Lincoln Memorial ahead 11-4.

Things were looking bright to start the bottom of the sixth for CSU as Emma Frost walked the first three batters of the inning to quickly load the bases. However, Columbus State was only able to score one on a fielder's choice from Caitlyn Canady. 

After a perfect top of the seventh, the Cougars put a scare into the Railsplitters. Both Paige Vincent and Dodson singled to give Columbus State a glimmer of hope with two outs and Poston at the plate. Poston ripped a double into left-center score the pair, but was thrown out at third after trying to extend the hit to a triple.

"Big innings are hurting us at the moment," commented head coach Brad Huskisson. "One inning in both losses this weekend cost us victories, and we have to find a way to calmly regroup out there before things get out of hand."

"At the plate, we need everyone to step up with runners on. We haven't had problems getting on, but driving them in has been a different story."

Four Cougars had two hits in the game led by Poston's 2-for-3 performance. The sophomore had a career-high four RBIs thanks to her double and homer. Elson (2-for-4, HR), Vincent (2-for-3, run), and Dodson (2-for-3, 2 runs) were the other multi-hit performers.

Corbin (2-3) took the loss allowing three runs, one earned, in two innings of work. Dawson tossed five innings allowing four unearned runs while striking out three.

Up Next

Columbus State will return to Cougar Field for a doubleheader against Wingate on Saturday, Feb. 29. The first game will begin at 1 p.m. All father and daughters are encouraged to attend the game as part of "Girl Dad Day" at Cougar Field.

Cougar Notes & Trends

• It was the first time that the Cougars hit multiple home runs in a game this season.
• With her double and homer, Poston recorded two extra-base hits in a game for the second time in her Cougar career. 
• Over the weekend, Poston was 5-for-9 with three runs scored and four RBIs. Along with Elyse Ambrose, the pair were the only Cougars to record a hit in all three games.
• Columbus State made a season-high four errors. The errors lead to seven unearned runs for the Cougar pitching staff.
• The Cougars were 1-for-8 with runners in scoring position on Sunday. The only hit was Poston's double in the bottom of the seventh.
• It was the third straight game that CSU had 10 or more hits. 
• The Columbus State-Shorter game scheduled for today was canceled due to a late starting time.