DAHLONEGA, Ga. - The No. 21 Columbus State University softball team finished the historical 2023 season, falling 3-8 in the Division II Southeast Regional Championship to the University of North Georgia. The Cougars ended the season with a 46-16 record, the second most wins in Columbus State softball history.

"On the field we've won a PBC Regular-Season Championship, a Runner-Up PBC Tournament Championship, a Runner-Up Regional Championship, broke a home run record that is purely off of hard work, and broke many other records," said head coach Brad Huskisson. "Most teams don't often accomplish that much in one season, so just to say I'm proud is an understatement."

The Cougars got on top 1-0 in the first inning thanks to Hannah Rose Corbin as the senior hit her 23rd home run of the season, tying the most home runs in a season record. The Nighthawks added four runs in the next half of the inning and one in the second to take a 5-1 lead over CSU.

Columbus State continued to fight, minimizing UNG's lead to only two runs with a big third inning. With one out and Katelyn Cooper on third base, Madeline Parker ripped a double to the right field fence to plate Cooper. A few batters later and bases loaded, Laura Harris hit an RBI groundout, scoring Parker and making it a 5-3 ball game. 

North Georgia managed to add on three more runs within the third inning and fifth. Corbin came in for relief in the fifth and pitched 1.1 innings with no runs scored, no walks, no hits and striking out the only UNG batter of the game.

Offensively, Corbin led the Cougars with two hits while Parker and Cooper each tallied one.

"What matters the most is loyalty and commitment these young ladies have shown me, especially from our three seniors (Corbin, Parker and Ambrose) and for that, the 2023 team will always have a special place in my heart," said Huskisson.