HARDEEVILLE, S.C. — The Columbus State University Softball team used a dominant third inning and strong relief pitching to defeat the University of South Carolina Beaufort, 9-4, in a Peach Belt Conference match-up Sunday afternoon. With the victory, Columbus State improves to 12–6 overall and 2–1 in Peach Belt Conference play.
The Cougars opened the scoring in the second inning when
Izzy Ripatti delivered an RBI single to left field that brought home
Nova Wright, giving Columbus State a 1-0 advantage.
USC Beaufort responded in the bottom half of the inning with a four-run rally, highlighted by RBI singles from Katelyn Boyette and Tamiyah Whitlock, followed by a two-run single from Saria Simmons to take a 4-1 lead.
Columbus State answered decisively in the third inning, scoring six runs to reclaim the lead.
Aubree Ussery sparked the rally with an RBI single that scored
Gracyn Gurley. Moments later,
Anna Waites delivered a three-run home run to left field that gave the Cougars a 5-4 lead.
The Cougars continued to apply pressure as
Abrianna Green added a two-run double to left-center field later in the inning, scoring
Izzy Ripatti and
Avery Hays to extend the lead to 7-4.
Columbus State added insurance runs in the fifth inning.
Mary-Catherine Sorrell executed a bunt single that drove in Ripatti, and Gurley followed with a sacrifice fly that plated Green to cap the scoring at 9-4.
In the circle,
Khloe Shears (6-1) earned the victory with an impressive relief performance. After entering in the second inning, Shears tossed 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing just four hits while striking out one and not issuing a walk.
Starter
Hanna Deschambault pitched the opening 1.2 innings before handing the game over to Shears.
Offensively, Columbus State was led by Ussery, Ripatti, Wright, and Green, who each recorded multiple hits. Ripatti scored twice and drove in a run, while Green finished with two hits and two RBIs.
Waites' three-run home run highlighted the Cougar offense and proved to be the game's turning point.
Columbus State will return home on Wednesday, March 11, for a non-conference doubleheader against Valdosta State University at Cougar Field. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m., with game two set for 5:30 p.m.
