ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. - The Columbus State University softball team is in position to take another Peach Belt Conference series after splitting a doubleheader with Flagler College on Sunday.

The Cougars (10-10, 3-2 PBC) won a 2-0 pitcher's duel in game one but couldn't hold a lead in the nightcap as FC grabbed a 9-4 win. 

"We can't let those big innings happen as we did in game two," commented head coach Brad Huskisson. "We had chances in game two at the plate but couldn't find the big hit."

"Overall, we have a chance to make this a successful trip tomorrow."

GAME 1 | CSU 2, FC 0

The Cougars didn't know it at the time, but a leadoff homer from Caitlyn Canady was all the offense Hannah Rose Corbin would need in the circle. After the first-inning bomb, Corbin went to work against the Flagler lineup.

After putting the Saints down in order in the first, Corbin had to wiggle out of a major jam in the second. The right-hander plunked the first batter of the inning before a fielding error and an infield single loaded the bases for FC with no outs. Needing a big play, Madeline Parker came through with a run-saving catch on a lineout for the first out, while Laura Harris forced out a runner at the plate to put two away. Corbin would then take matters into her own hands, striking out Valerie Beltre to strand the bases loaded.

FC (12-9, 1-1) threatened again in the fourth as two walks and a single reloaded the bases again for the Saints. However, a nifty pickoff play and a flyout kept Columbus State ahead 1-0. 

The Cougars added an insurance run in the fifth after Parker started a one-out rally with a single. After a strikeout and a pitching change, Canady greeted Rachel Hester with a single into the right-centerfield gap. Canady rounded first and drew a rundown, allowing Parker to cross the plate before being tagged out. 

Corbin (8-3) finished her two-hitter and third shutout of the year by not allowing another runner to touch second over the final two innings. The junior stuck out seven and walked three in the effort.

Canady finished the day with a perfect 3-for-3 line. Harris was also 3-for-3 with a stolen base for the Cougars.

Taylor Scott (3-1) was handed her first loss of the year, despite picking up six strikeouts in 4.2 innings.

GAME 2 | FC 9, CSU 4

Columbus State jumped out to another early lead in game two as Grace Kiser found a hole through the right side of the infield to put the Cougars ahead 2-0 in the second. Parker and Katelyn Cooper got the rally going with back-to-back two-out singles. 

Flagler got its first run of the afternoon in its half of the second on a Kyleigh Taylor solo homer.

CSU strung together more hits in the third to push across a run. Harris and Kenzie Bayer found holes for hits before Morgan Elston picked up an RBI single to make it a 3-1 game. 

After Taylor picked up another RBI in the third, Flagler got to CSU starter Haylee Folds in the fourth. A leadoff error and walk chased Folds from the game for Jessica Lopez, who got an out on the first hitter she faced. However, a wild pitch and two straight singles tied the game at three.

Lopez recorded the second out of the inning, but Taylor stepped back into the box with the bases loaded. During the at-bat, a wild pitch allowed the go-ahead run to score before matters became worse. Taylor smacked her second homer, this one a 3-run shot, to put Flagler ahead 7-3. 

Columbus State got a run back in the fifth as Canady legged on an infield hit with two outs and the bases load. However, FC escaped the inning with a 7-4 lead.

Olivia Parker got the run right back for the Saints though after hitting a solo homer in the bottom of the fifth. A wild pitch allowed the final run of the game to score in the sixth for FC. 

Taylor was 3-for-3 with five RBIs after hitting two homers for the Saints. 

Canady picked up three more hits with a 3-for-5 performance for CSU, while Parker was 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

Folds allowed four runs (three earned) over her 3-plus inning start. Lopez (1-4) took the loss after allowing five runs (one earned) over the final three innings. 

UP NEXT
The two teams play the rubber match on Monday at noon in St. Augustine, Fla. at Flagler Field.

GAME NOTES
• Canady was 6-for-8 with three RBIs in the two games on Sunday. She leads the team with two 3-hit games 
• Corbin has thrown two shutouts in her last three starts 
• Sunday games were the first true road games of the year for Columbus State
• Harris is 6-for-11 with four runs over the last three games
• Columbus State stranded 12 runners on base in game two