ROME, Ga. — The Columbus State University softball team closed out its weekend series in dominant fashion Saturday afternoon, rolling to a 10-0 run-rule victory over Shorter University at Alto Park Softball Complex.
Columbus State wasted no time setting the tone, plating two runs in the first inning.
Ansley Collins opened the scoring with an RBI single to center field, scoring
Libby Buchanan. Later in the frame,
Anna Waites drove in Collins on a fielder's choice to give the Cougars a 2-0 advantage.
The Cougars broke the game open in the second inning, erupting for four runs.
Abrianna Green launched a two-run home run to extend the lead to 4-0.
Aubree Ussery followed with an RBI single, and
Kara Wegienka added another run-scoring fielder's choice to push the margin to 6-0.
Columbus State continued its offensive surge in the third. Green delivered an RBI single, and Collins added a sacrifice fly to center field to make it 8-0. In the fourth inning,
Nova Wright capped the scoring with a two-run homer to left field.
Ussery led the way with a 3-for-4 performance and an RBI, while Green went 2-for-3 with a home run and three RBIs. Collins added two hits and two RBI's, and Buchanan scored twice. Wright's two-run homer highlighted a balanced offensive effort that saw seven different Cougars record hits.
In the circle,
Hanna Deschambault delivered a complete-game shutout, allowing just three hits over five innings while striking out five and walking two. She faced 19 batters and needed 76 pitches to secure the victory.
Records: Columbus State improves to 8-5 overall.
Next Up: The Cougars return home to face Emmanuel Lions softball on Thursday, March 5, at 3:00 p.m. at Cougar Field.
