DAHLONEGA, Ga. - The sixth seed Columbus State University softball team dropped the first game of the NCAA DII Southeast Regional to third seed Francis Marion University 0-8 Thursday night at Haines & Carolyn Hill Stadium at Lynn Cottrell Park in Dahlonega, Ga.

After a three hour weather delay for both games, the Cougars and Patriots didn't begin play until 7:30 p.m.

Francis Marion got an early 2-0 lead over CSU in the bottom of the first inning thanks to a two-run triple from Katie Smith. In the second inning, the Patriots made it 4-0 with a two-run ome run from Makayla Cuthbertson. 

The Patriots scored another two runs in the third off of a fielding error and a sacrifice fly, then put the game in run-rule mode in the fourth with a RBI double to left center.

Conference Carolinas' Pitcher of the Year Alyssa Poston held the Cougars to only one hit, coming from Katelyn Cooper in the top of the first with a single to center field. Cooper also recorded a steal and a walk. FMU tallied six hits in the game.

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Columbus State falls to the losers bracket and will play seventh seed Flagler College at 2:30 p.m. on Friday. The winner will advance in the tournament and will play the loser of the North Georgia vs. Francis Marion game at 5 p.m. Friday night. 

During the regular-season, Flagler took 2-of-3 conference games from CSU in St. Augustine, Fla. on March 29-30. FC won the first two games (6-3, 8-1) and the Cougars took game three 9-5.

Links to the live statistics, live video, radio and tickets can be found here. To view the tournament website, click here.