COLUMBUS - The Columbus State University softball team split games on the first day of the 2023 NFCA Leadoff Classic at the South Commons Softball Complex in Columbus. CSU lost to Carson-Newman University 1-2 in game one and beat Lincoln Memorial University 8-0 in the nightcap.

Game 1 - CSU 1, CNU 2

The Cougars and Eagles were in a pitching dual between Hannah Rose Corbin and CNU's Rylee Gattis until the top of the fourth inning when the Eagles took a 1-0 lead off an RBI single to right-center field.

CSU tied the game in the bottom of the sixth thanks to a sacrifice fly from Brooke Miller, scoring Madeline Parker from third base. However, the Cougars couldn't find a way to continue the rally.

With runners on first and second, Carson-Newman took the lead in the top of the seventh from an RBI single up the middle.

NOTES:

• The Cougars posted six hits as a team and the Eagles tallied eight
• Hannah Rose Corbin received the loss on the mound after pitching 7.0 innings, striking out five batters and walking two. She is now 3-2 inside the circle
• Corbin, Parker, Elyse Ambrose, Miller, Kenzie Bayer and Lindsey Patton each tallied one hit, with Parker and Miller each hitting doubles

Game 2 - CSU 8, CNU 0 (5 inn.) 

Jessica Lopez pitched a five-inning shutout, striking out seven batters and only allowing one hit. She earned her second win inside the circle and improved to 2-0.

CSU came out hot in the bottom of the first scoring four runs against the Railsplitters. Parker started the rally, ripping an RBI double to the left field fence, scoring Canady from first base. Miller extended CSU's lead to 3-0 thanks to a two-run RBI double to left field, plating Parker and Corbin. To finish out the inning, Bayer singled through the left side to score Miller from second.

The Cougars added four more runs in the third. Ambrose started the damage, jacking a solo bomb over the center field fence in the third, making it 5-0. Laura Harris then ripped a single through the right side, plating Bayer who doubled. With bases loaded and two outs, an error by the third baseman caused Harris and Cooper to score, giving CSU an 8-0 lead.

NOTES:

• Miller and Bayer each posted two hits, with Miller tallying two RBIs and two doubles
• Parker and Bayer each recorded a double
• The Cougars had nine hits in the win

UP NEXT

Columbus State will play Wilmington University (Del.) on Saturday, Feb. 25 at 10 a.m. and Wingate University at 3 p.m. Both games will take place at the South Commons Softball Complex.