Game One
AUGUSTA, Ga. — The Columbus State University Softball team used a balanced offensive attack and timely hitting to secure an 11-3 victory over Augusta University in game one of a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Jaguar Field.
Columbus State wasted no time setting the tone offensively, plating three runs in the opening inning.
Ansley Collins scored the game's first run on an RBI single from
Aubree Ussery, before
Nova Wright delivered a two-run double to extend the early advantage to 3-0.
After Augusta responded with runs in each of the first three innings to cut the deficit to 5-3, the Cougars broke the game open with a decisive five-run fifth inning.
Mary-Catherine Sorrell sparked the rally with a two-run double down the left-field line, while Collins followed with an RBI single.
Libby Buchanan added an RBI triple, and Ussery capped the inning with a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 10-3.
Columbus State added an insurance run in the seventh inning as Buchanan crossed the plate on a wild pitch to seal the 11-3 final.
The Cougars totaled 16 hits in the contest, led by Buchanan's standout 4-for-5 performance with four runs scored and a triple. Sorrell added a 3-for-3 day with two RBI's and three stolen bases, while Collins and Ussery each recorded two hits. Wright contributed two RBI's, and
Anna Waites chipped in a pair of hits and an RBI as part of the offensive surge.
In the circle,
Lily Miller allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits over 2.1 innings.
Khloe Shears (11-4) earned the win in a dominant relief appearance, tossing 4.2 scoreless innings while surrendering just two hits in the victory.
Game Two
AUGUSTA, Ga. — The Columbus State University Softball team completed the Peach Belt Conference series with an 8-3 victory over Augusta University in game two of Saturday's doubleheader at Jaguar Field. The Cougars improve to 20-12 overall and 9-3 in PBC play, taking the series 2-1 over Augusta.
Columbus State struck first in the opening inning as
Kara Wegienka delivered an RBI single through the left side to score
Libby Buchanan and give the Cougars a 1-0 lead.
Augusta evened the contest in the second inning, but Columbus State quickly regained control.
Nova Wright hit a sacrifice fly in the third inning to plate Buchanan and restore a 2-1 advantage.
The Cougars broke the game open in the fourth inning, scoring three runs to extend the lead to 5-1.
Izzy Ripatti highlighted the frame with a solo home run, while
Aubree Ussery followed with an RBI single. Wright added her second sacrifice fly of the game to cap the inning.
Columbus State continued to build its lead in the sixth inning, as
Ansley Collins drove in a run with a single before Ussery delivered the biggest swing of the game—a two-run home run to push the advantage to 8-1.
Augusta added two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, but the Cougars' lead proved too much to overcome as Columbus State secured the 8-3 victory.
The Cougars totaled 10 hits in the contest, led by Ussery's 3-for-4 performance with three RBI's and a home run. Wegienka also recorded three hits and an RBI, while Collins added two hits and scored twice. Ripatti contributed a solo home run, and Wright drove in two runs on sacrifice flies.
In the circle,
Hanna Deschambault (4-3) earned the complete-game victory, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits while striking out four over seven innings to secure the series.
Columbus State returns to action on Wednesday, April 1, traveling to Huntsville, Ala., for a doubleheader against the University of Alabama in Huntsville at 2:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m.
