COLUMBUS - The Columbus State University softball team dropped two games on Sunday to conclude the 2022 Red-White-Blue Classic. The Cougars fell to Wingate University 5-2, then lost a close 3-2 game to No. 11 Auburn University at Montgomery in the nightcap.
Columbus State now holds an overall record of 5-7.
Game 1: WU 5, CSU 2
Wingate jumped on the board in the top of the first inning thanks to a three-run home run from Hannah Reeves to give the Bulldogs a 3-0 lead over the Cougars. WU added another run in the third to extend it's lead to four.
CSU plated two runs in the fourth with a two-out, bases loaded two-run RBI single from
Lindsey Patton to bring the Cougars closer. Unfortunately, Columbus State couldn't plate more after that.
The Cougars posted four hits, with Patton having two of them.
Taylor Currie made her first start and appearance for CSU inside the circle and was handed the loss.
Game 2: AUM 3, CSU 1
A battle between pitchers, both teams' offense couldn't plate a run until late in the game. CSU starter
Haylee Folds allowed no runs until the sixth.
AUM struck first by scoring three runs in the top of the sixth inning, with Kat Fallen ripping a leadoff home run over the center field fence. Later in the inning, the Warhawks scored off a sacrifice fly. AUM scored the third run of the inning with aggressive base running and a fielding error by CSU.
With two outs in the bottom of the seventh and bases loaded, AUM intentionally walked
Hannah Rose Corbin, which made it a 3-1 ballgame. Patton was close to hitting another walkoff like the night before, ripping an RBI single up the middle to score
Caitlyn Canady, but came up short with AUM's center fielder throwing
Brooke Miller out at the plate.
Each team posted six hits. Folds earned her second loss of the season after pitching 7.0 innings and striking out four. AUM pitcher Hannah Creel struck out five Cougars.
Up Next
Columbus State will be back at Cougar Field on Friday, Feb. 25 at 5 p.m. for a nonconference game against the University of West Alabama.
