Game One
COLUMBUS — The Columbus State University Softball team powered past Peach Belt Conference opponent Lander University, 12-4, in six innings during game one of Sunday's doubleheader and game two of the conference series at Cougar Field.
The Cougars set the tone early, striking for three runs in the bottom of the first inning.
Anna Waites delivered the big swing, launching a three-run home run to left field to score
Ansley Collins and
Libby Buchanan and give Columbus State a 3-0 lead.
Columbus State added another run in the second as Buchanan singled to shortstop, bringing home
Abrianna Green to extend the advantage to 4-0.
The Cougars broke the game open in the third inning with five runs.
Izzy Ripatti highlighted the frame with a three-run home run to right center, scoring Waites and
Kara Wegienka. Buchanan followed later in the inning with a two-run single down the left-field line, plating Collins and
Mary-Catherine Sorrell to push the lead to 9-0.
Lander responded with three runs in the fourth inning, using RBI hits from Samantha Bumgarner and Devon Kokoszka before Kara Vonachen added an RBI groundout to trim the deficit to 9-3. Columbus State answered in the bottom half as Ripatti doubled to right center, scoring
Nova Wright and making it 10-3.
The Bearcats added one run in the fifth, but the Cougars closed the game in the sixth with back-to-back solo home runs from Waites and Wegienka to secure the run-rule victory.
Waites led Columbus State at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two home runs, three runs scored and four RBI's. Ripatti finished 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and four RBI's, while Buchanan went 2-for-2 with three RBI's and a walk. Sorrell also added two hits for the Cougars.
Hanna Deschambault earned the win in the circle, improving to 10-4 after tossing five innings. She allowed four runs, three earned, on seven hits while striking out two.
Khloe Shears worked the final inning in relief, holding Lander hitless.
Columbus State finished with 12 runs on 12 hits, including four home runs. The Cougars will close out the series against Lander in game two of Sunday's doubleheader at Cougar Field.
Game Two
COLUMBUS — The Columbus State University softball team closed the regular season with a 5-2 win over Peach Belt Conference opponent Lander University in game two of Sunday's doubleheader and the series finale at Cougar Field.
With the win, Columbus State took the series 2-1 on Senior Day and improved to 33-20 overall and 20-7 in Peach Belt Conference play.
The Cougars broke through first in the bottom of the third inning when
Aubree Ussery launched a solo home run to left center, giving Columbus State a 1-0 lead.
Lander answered in the fourth, scoring two runs to move in front. Bella Angeli singled to center field to bring home Reagan Hill, and Samantha Bumgarner followed with a sacrifice fly to score Isabella Santos and give the Bearcats a 2-1 advantage.
Columbus State responded in the fifth inning behind another big swing from Ussery. After
Ansley Collins reached base, Ussery delivered her second home run of the game, a two-run shot to right center, putting the Cougars back ahead, 3-2.
The Cougars added insurance in the sixth inning as
Holly Lynn homered to center field, scoring
Izzy Ripatti and extending the lead to 5-2.
Ussery led Columbus State at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two home runs, three RBI's and two runs scored. Lynn finished 1-for-3 with a two-run home run, while Collins and
Libby Buchanan each added a hit.
In the circle,
Khloe Shears earned the win in relief, improving to 17-8. Shears tossed four scoreless innings without allowing a hit, striking out two and walking one.
Lily Miller started for the Cougars and allowed two runs on two hits with one strikeout across three innings.
The Cougars will travel to Dahlonega, Ga., for the Peach Belt Conference Tournament on Friday, May 8. For more information, visit
CSUCougars.com.
