Game One
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The Columbus State University Softball team dropped a 5-2 decision in game one of the doubleheader to Flagler College in game one of a Peach Belt Conference series on Saturday afternoon at Flagler Field.
Columbus State struck first in the opening inning, manufacturing an early run on a sacrifice fly from
Anna Waites that brought home
Ansley Collins for a 1-0 lead. Flagler responded immediately in the bottom half, using a two-run double from Stephanie Daly to take a 2-1 advantage.
The Saints added to their lead in the third inning with an RBI single from Ryleigh Hall, extending the margin to 3-1. Columbus State answered in the fourth, as
Abrianna Green lifted a sacrifice fly to score
Nova Wright and trim the deficit to 3-2.
Flagler broke the game open in the bottom of the fourth inning, capitalizing on key opportunities with a bases-loaded walk and a sacrifice fly to push the lead to 5-2. The Cougars were unable to generate additional offense over the final three innings.
Nova Wright and
Libby Buchanan led the way offensively for Columbus State with two hits apiece, while Collins added a double and scored a run. The Cougars totaled five hits and worked five walks, but left seven runners on base.
In the circle,
Khloe Shears (16-7) took the loss after allowing five runs on eight hits over 3.1 innings.
Hanna Deschambault provided solid relief, tossing 2.2 scoreless innings while allowing no hits and striking out one.
Columbus State will look to bounce back in game two of the doubleheader as the three-game Peach Belt Conference series continues.
Game Two
ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — The Columbus State University Softball team suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 extra-inning loss to Flagler College in game two of a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader Saturday afternoon at Flagler Field.
After four scoreless innings, Flagler broke through in the third, capitalizing on a Columbus State error to take a 1-0 lead. The Saints added another run in the fourth on a sacrifice fly, pushing the advantage to 2-0.
Columbus State responded in the fifth inning, stringing together timely execution to even the score.
Aubree Ussery delivered a sacrifice fly to bring home
Mary-Catherine Sorrell, and
Anna Waites followed with an RBI single to score
Ansley Collins, tying the game at 2-2.
The contest remained deadlocked into extra innings, as both pitching staffs limited scoring opportunities. In the top of the ninth, the Cougars took their first lead of the game when Sorrell delivered a clutch RBI double down the left-field line, scoring
Izzy Ripatti to make it 3-2.
Offensively, Columbus State recorded nine hits, with Collins and Sorrell each tallying two hits, while Ripatti added a pair of hits and scored a run. Waites and Ussery each drove in a run for the Cougars.
In the circle,
Lily Miller allowed two runs (one earned) over four innings in the start, while
Gracyn Gurley (0-1) took the loss despite allowing just one earned run over 4.2 innings of relief.
Columbus State will look to bounce back in the series finale as the three-game Peach Belt Conference series continues.
