COLUMBUS - The Columbus State University softball team scored a combined 18 runs in both games of a doubleheader to sweep Francis Marion University on Saturday afternoon at Cougar Field.

The Cougars cruised to a 10-2 five-inning win in game one before taking the finale 8-3. With the wins, CSU improves to 22-10 and 7-3 inside the PBC, while the Patriots fell to 9-15 and 5-7. 

Morgan Elston jacked three homers on the day, including two in game one, to up her season total to 11. Hannah Rose Corbin smashed her 13th homer of the season and moved to 13-5 in the circle after picking up both victories in the circle.

GAME 1: CSU 10-2 
The Cougar bats were rolling in the opening game of the doubleheader, collecting 10 hits and scoring 10 runs, run-ruling the Patriots in five innings.

Francis Marion hit the board in their first at-bat. The Patriots had runners on second and third when a grounder to first base scored Ashtyn Patterson. The lead didn't last long as the Cougars took the lead in the bottom of the second thanks to a two-run homer to left centerfield from Elston.

The Patriots got that run back in the third following a Cougar fielding error.

The Cougars went up by four in the fourth thanks to a two-run double from Katelyn Cooper, which scored Madeline Parker and Caitlyn Canady, who also doubled. After Cooper's double, Corbin stepped to the plate and jacked a two-run homer to deadaway center to make it 6-2.

CSU ended the game early in the fifth after scoring four more runs. Elston led off the inning with her second home run of the game. Singles from Paige Vincent and Parker and a groundout put runners on second and third before a wild pitch pushed home Vincent to make it an 8-2 CSU lead. Following the wild pitch, Janecia Hemingway couldn't find her control, walking four straight Cougar hitters, including two with the bases loaded to give Columbus State the 10-2 win.


Cooper and Elston were both 2-for-3 at the plate.

GAME 2: CSU 8-3 
Francis Marion started the game like the opener, putting a run on the board in the first on an infield single. However, Columbus State responded with four runs in the next half inning.

With two outs, freshmen Lindsey Patton and Harris hit back-to-back RBI singles to give the Cougars a 2-1 lead. Elston continued her playing home run derby as the sophomore crushed a two-run homer to right center, extending CSU's lead to three.

Both teams went scoreless until the Cougars opened things back up in the bottom of the fifth. With bases loaded, L. Patton ripped a fly ball to left field which ended up being caught, however, Parker was able to score on a throwing error by the left fielder, making it 5-1. Harris delivered again, collecting two RBIs with a single through the left side that scored Cooper and pinch runner Terra Odom. Vincent made it 8-1 after she singled to right field.

FMU kept the Cougars on their toes as the Patriots scored two runs in their last at bat. Riley Patton entered the circle in relief in the sixth, but struggled to find some rhythm in the seventh. The Patriots put the first two batters on before a wild pitch advanced both into scoring position. A sacrifice fly and an error brought Francis Marion within five forcing Corbin back into the game. She would retire the next two hitters to secure the win for Columbus State. 

Cooper went 2-for-4 while Harris was 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Elston was 1-for-1 with a homer, two RBIs and two walks.

UP NEXT 
Columbus State will return to Cougar Field on Sunday for another PBC matchup against UNC Pembroke starting at 12 p.m.