Game One
COLUMBUS — The Columbus State University Softball team fell 13–4 to Georgia College & State University in game one of Saturday's doubleheader and the second game of the Peach Belt Conference series at Cougar Field, moving to 14-8 overall and 3-2 in conference play with the result.
The Cougars jumped out to an early lead, scoring three runs in the bottom of the second inning.
Anna Waites started the scoring with an RBI single up the middle that brought home
Nova Wright. Later in the inning,
Abrianna Green delivered a two-run single to right-center field, plating
Ella Hopper and Waites to give Columbus State a 30 advantage.
Columbus State added another run in the third inning when
Gracyn Gurley doubled and later moved into scoring position.
Gracyn Gurley advanced to second on a wild pitch, allowing
Gracyn Gurley to score and extend the Cougar lead to 4-0.
Georgia College began to rally in the fourth inning with a solo home run by Stephanie Condland. The Bobcats followed with a big fifth inning, using a two-run double from Sydney Lancaster and a three-run home run by Condland to move ahead. Columbus State continued to battle despite the momentum shift, but Georgia College added additional runs in the later innings to extend its lead.
Columbus State finished the game with seven hits, led by one hit each from
Nova Wright,
Anna Waites,
Abrianna Green,
Gracyn Gurley,
Libby Buchanan,
Carlee Wilson, and
Mary-Catherine Sorrell. Green drove in two runs to lead the Cougar offense.
Hanna Deschambault (2-2) took the loss in the circle for Columbus State after allowing five runs on seven hits over five innings while striking out four.
Lily Miller and Gurley also saw action in relief.
Columbus State and Georgia College continued the doubleheader later Saturday afternoon with the final game of the three-game Peach Belt Conference series.
Game Two
The Columbus State University Softball team closed its Peach Belt Conference series with a 3-1 victory over Georgia College & State University in the second game of Saturday's doubleheader at Cougar Field. With the win, the Cougars improved to 15-8 overall and 4-2 in Peach Belt Conference play.
Columbus State struck first in the bottom of the second inning when
Anna Waites launched a solo home run to left field, giving the Cougars an early 1-0 advantage. Georgia College briefly evened the score in the top of the third on an RBI single by Sydney Lancaster, but Columbus State responded and maintained control for the remainder of the contest.
The Cougars quickly regained the advantage in the bottom half of the inning.
Ansley Collins lined a single to left field that drove in
Mary-Catherine Sorrell, pushing Columbus State back in front 2-1.
Columbus State added an insurance run in the sixth inning. Waites reached base earlier in the frame and later scored when
Abrianna Green reached on a throwing error by the Georgia College shortstop, extending the Cougar lead to 3-1.
In the circle,
Khloe Shears continued her strong season, tossing a complete-game performance to earn the victory and improved to 9-1. The right-hander allowed one run on seven hits across seven innings, while issuing two walks and striking out four over
Offensively, Columbus State recorded four hits, led by Waites, who finished 1-for-1 with a home run, two runs scored, and a walk. Collins added an RBI single, while
Gracyn Gurley and
Mary-Catherine Sorrell each recorded a hit. Sorrell also scored a run and stole a base.
The Cougars will return to action on Tuesday, March 17, when Columbus State hosts Auburn University at Montgomery at Cougar Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
