COLUMBUS - The Columbus State University softball team won a thrilling 12-8 game against the University of West Alabama Friday night at Cougar Field.

The Cougars improved to 6-7 while the Tigers fell to 6-8. Jessica Lopez earned her first win for CSU inside the circle after relieving Hannah Rose Corbin in the fifth inning.

After trailing 4-0 after the top of the second, Columbus State slugger Morgan Elston jacked a two-run home run over the left field fence to cut West Alabama's lead in half.

The Tigers got one run back in the top of the third, but the Cougars broke out the bats in the next half inning, scoring three runs to tie the game at five. The top of the Cougar lineup did the work, with Caitlyn Canady leading off the inning with a triple down the left field line. Paige Vincent knocked her in with an RBI single through the left side, while Corbin had the big blow with a two-run homer to center field.

Both teams did not stop as UWA put two more runs on the board in the fourth after two hits, two walks and a defensive error.

CSU bounced back in the bottom of the fourth with three runs, making it an 8-7 ballgame. Canady ripped an RBI double to center field to score Madeline Parker, then a defensive error by UWA allowed two more runs to cross the plate.

Columbus State added some cushion in the bottom of the sixth, scoring four runs off of two errors and one hit. Elston and Laura Harris picked up sacrifice flies in the frame.

Canady led the Cougars with two hits, three runs scored and one RBI. Elston tallied three RBIs apiece, while Corbin recorded two.

Lopez (1-2) struck out three and only allowed two runs in three innings of work. Corbin stuck out six in 3.1 innings. UWA scored six runs (three earned) off the righty. 

The Cougars will finish the three-game series against West Alabama on Saturday, Feb. 26 with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.