COLUMBUS, GA. – Columbus State University softball swept Shorter University (Ga.) during their Tuesday doubleheader matchup. 

The Lady Cougars (9-1) took two wins against the Hawks (2-10) taking game one 6-0 and game two 8-2. 

Junior, Holly Lynn, had herself a day, hitting three home runs for the afternoon. Lynn now has four home runs on the season thus far. She led the afternoon totaling six RBIs and four hits. Lynn helped Columbus State propel over Shorter in game two after she blasted two balls out to left field. Her home runs tallied four runs for the Lady Cougars as they defeated Shorter 8-2. 

Game One - Columbus State 6, Shorter 0

Columbus State got on the board early after Anna Waites hit a homer out to center field. The next few innings were relatively quiet for both sides. Shorter was able to get two hits off Julianna Franklin, but was unable to take advantage. 

The Lady Cougars opened the game up in the fifth inning after Izzy Ripatti slammed her first career home run to center fielder off the first pitch. Aubree Ussery and Gracyn Gurley both reached base off a single, then Waites reached on a fielder's choice to load the bases for the Lady Cougars. Fortunately, for the Hawks, CSU was unable to capitalize on bases loaded. 

Columbus State added four more runs to the board in the sixth inning. Holly Lynn gathered her second home run of the season which brought in Mary-Catherine Sorrell to home plate. Freshman Avery Hays, brought in two runs after she blasted her first career home run out to left field. 

Quick Hits

• CSU collected four home runs from Waites, Ripatti, Lynn, and Hays. 
• Lynn and Hays led with two RBIs apiece while Waites and Ripatti had one apiece. 
• Sorrell led the Lady Cougars with two hits as six other players collected a hit a piece. 
• Julianna Franklin tossed for seven innings with five strikeouts, three hits, zero walks, and zero runs. 

Game Two - Columbus State 8, Shorter 2

Columbus State opened the game with Lily Miller on the mound. Anna Waites and Ella Hopper singled in the first inning, but the Lady Cougars were unable to collect any runs. The second inning brought in runs for both teams with Shorter getting on the board first. Hopper collected another hit for two RBIs to bring in Abrianna Green and Ansley Collins. Miller tallied two strikeouts in the third inning to quickly get out of the top. Holly Lynn blasted her second home run of the day to go up 3-1 in the bottom of the third. 

The Hawks were able to get another run on the board in the fourth from a wild pitch. Miller struggled in the fourth but was able to strike out two batters while the bases were loaded to stop the Hawks from scoring. Mae Durham opened the bottom sixth with a double down the line. Collins pinch ran for Durham to collect a run after Nova Wright and Hopper singled a piece to advance Collins home. Another home run from Lynn in the sixth inning brought in Nova Wright and Waites to bring the score to 8-2 for the Lady Cougars. The Hawks were unable to respond in the top of the seventh, sealing the game for Columbus State. 

Quick Hits

• CSU led with twelve hits compared to Shorter's seven.
• Lynn led with two home runs, three hits, and four RBIs while Hopper followed with three hits, two RBIs, and one run. 
• Hopper collected two RBIs while Wright and Sorrell had one apiece.
• Miller tossed for seven innings with eight strikeouts, seven hits, two runs, and one walk. 

Next Up

• Columbus State will stay home to host Carson-Newman University for a doubleheader on Sunday, Feb. 23 at 4 p.m. and 6:30 p.m.