Game One
COLUMBUS — The Columbus State University Softball team fell 11-3 in game one of the doubleheader to No. 3-ranked University of North Georgia in game two of a three-game Peach Belt Conference series Saturday afternoon at Cougar Field.
Columbus State answered in the bottom half of the second inning when
Izzy Ripatti drove in
Nova Wright with an RBI single to put the Cougars on the board.
Columbus State showed signs of life in the fourth inning, cutting into the deficit with a two-run single from
Holly Lynn that scored Ripatti and
Kara Wegienka, making it 10-3. However, that would be as close as the Cougars would get.
The Cougars were limited to three hits on the afternoon, with Ripatti, Wright, and Lynn each recording one. Lynn led Columbus State with two RBI's, while Wright added a run scored and a stolen base.
In the circle,
Hanna Deschambault (6-4) took the loss after allowing 10 runs (eight earned) on eight hits over three innings.
Gracyn Gurley provided relief, surrendering one unearned run across three innings.
The Cougars will look to bounce back in the series finale against North Georgia, with first pitch scheduled for later Saturday afternoon at Cougar Field.
Game Two
COLUMBUS — The Columbus State University softball team delivered a statement performance Saturday evening, defeating No. 3-ranked University of North Georgia, 9-1, in five innings to close out a three-game Peach Belt Conference series at Cougar Field.
With the win, the Cougars claim the series 2-1 and improve to 27-15 overall and 14-4 in Peach Belt Conference play. Columbus State now sits atop the conference standings with nine conference games remaining. North Georgia falls to 33-8 overall and 13-5 in the PBC.
Columbus State broke the game open with a decisive five-run third inning, capitalizing on timely hitting. The rally began with an RBI single from
Aubree Ussery before
Anna Waites added an RBI fielder's choice.
Nova Wright followed with an RBI single up the middle, and
Kara Wegienka drew a bases-loaded walk to extend the lead.
Izzy Ripatti capped the inning with a sacrifice fly, giving the Cougars a commanding 5-0 advantage.
North Georgia got on the board in the fourth inning with a solo home run from Carleigh Knowles, but Columbus State quickly responded in the bottom half. Ussery delivered an RBI single, Waites added an RBI knock to right center, and Wright followed with another RBI single to push the lead to 8-1.
The Cougars sealed the run-rule victory in the fifth inning as Waites recorded her third RBI of the game with a single to center field, plating
Mary-Catherine Sorrell.
Ussery and Waites led the offensive effort with two hits apiece, combining for five RBI's and four runs scored. Wright also added two hits and two RBI's, while Collins and Sorrell each crossed the plate twice as part of a balanced Columbus State attack that produced nine runs on nine hits.
In the circle,
Khloe Shears (15-5) turned in another strong outing, allowing just one run on three hits over five innings while striking out one and walking one.
Columbus State will return to action Wednesday, April 15, traveling to Livingston, Ala., for a nonconference doubleheader against the University of West Alabama. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. at the University of West Alabama Softball Complex.
