GREENWOOD, S.C. - The Columbus State University softball team couldn't push across a run, falling 3-0 to Lander to begin a three-game Peach Belt Conference series Friday evening at Doug Spears Field.

With two games separating the teams in the PBC standings beginning the night, LU (27-6, 9-4 PBC) struck first, scoring a single run in the first and second to grab the momentum. 

"We couldn't get the bats going tonight," said head coach Brad Huskisson. "We pitched well enough to win, but we got to get those timely hits and make the sure plays."

The Bearcats scored both of their first runs with two outs. In the first, an error and a walk put CSU starter Hannah Rose Corbin in trouble. LU made the error pay as Abbie Behe found a hole for a single. A two-out bunt started the rally in the second before Ka'Naya Jones stole second and third to put pressure on the Cougar defense. An infield single by Sajarie Jones would put Lander up 2-0. 

Columbus State (17-16, 7-3) had runners all over the place in the middle portion of the game. However, Rebecca Boesen wiggled out of trouble. CSU's best chance came in the sixth after Madeline Parker and Laura Harris each singled. After heads-up base-running, the Cougars had the tying runs in scoring position, but Boesen got a flyout to escape the jam. 

LU scored an insurance run in the sixth to secure Boesen's ninth win of the year. She scattered four hits in the complete-game shutout.

Corbin fell to 13-6, allowing three runs (two earned) on seven hits.

UP NEXT
The two teams finish off the series with a Saturday doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.  

GAME NOTES
• Caitlyn Canady extended her hitting streak to 10 games on a first-inning single
• Corbin was 1-for-4 at the plate with a double, CSU's lone extra-base hit in the game. She has reached base in 14 straight after Friday
• It's the first time CSU has been shutout in PBC play this year
• CSU has lost three straight on the road 
• Behe was 3-for-3 for Lander