Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Conway, Ark. - The Columbia Softball team picked up a split in their season opener at the Central Baptist Meltdown on Friday, defeating Texas Wesleyan University 10-9 in walk-off fashion in their first game of the day before falling to Central Baptist College 9-4 in the nightcap.

There was no shortage of offense to begin game one as Texas Wesleyan got to Columbia starter Paxton Welch for three runs in the top of the first inning, highlighted by Amber Marlett's three-run home run. The Cougars answered with three runs of their own in the bottom of the frame, with Jamie Holmes leading off the inning with a single to right and scoring on a base hit by Marli Hayes. Kristin Eiken would deliver a double to left to score Hayes and later come around to score on an RBI single by Whitni Howell, knotting things up at 3-3.

After a scoreless second inning, the Rams struck for a pair of runs in the third to knock Welch out of the game after 2.1 innings in the circle. The score was 5-3 heading into the fifth when Chelsea Anderson homered to lead off the inning and Texas Wesleyan would tack on two more runs for an 8-3 advantage. Columbia would mount their comeback from there as Holmes and freshman Carly Spalding connected on back-to-back home runs to start the bottom of the fifth, cutting the Rams lead to 8-5. The Cougars added two more runs in the inning on a throwing error by Texas Wesleyan and nearly tied things up, but pinch-runner Kelsi Hill was gunned down at the plate to end the frame. The Rams were able to add an insurance run on Anderson's second home run of the game for a 9-7 lead in the sixth, but they were unable to do any further damage against Columbia relievers Tiffany Urwiler and Maria Imhoff.

Following two scoreless half innings, the Cougars went into the bottom of the seventh trailing by two but Taylor Atwood was able to get things started with a leadoff single to third. Atwood would advance to second on a single to center by Kristin Eiken and come around to score on a double to right by Howell, putting runners on second and third with nobody out. Texas Wesleyan reliever was able to strike out Jessica Hardy for the first out and get ahead of Brittiany Tjarks 0-2 during the next at-bat. However, a passed ball by Rams catcher Kali Jester allowed to Eiken to cross home plate with the tying run while Howell advanced to third representing the winning run. Tjarks was unable to cash in on the scoring opportunity as she was caught looking for the second out, which brought up freshman Paige Kleffner. After falling behind in the count 1-2, Kleffner was able to force a walk after a seven pitch at-bat and put runners on the corners for Holmes, who ripped a 1-0 pitch to right to bring home Howell for the walk-off winner.

Imhoff earned the win in the circle for Columbia, going the final 1.1 innings and allowing no runs on one hit and a walk. Urwiler logged 3.1 innings in relief, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits. Holmes finished 3 for 5 with two runs scored and two RBI to lead the Cougar offense, which pounded out 15 hits. Eiken was a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate with three runs scored and Spalding, Atwood, Howell, and Kleffner also added two hits apiece.

Columbia fell behind early in game two once again as Central Baptist put three runs on the board in the first inning, with the big blow coming on two-run home run by Brittany Merritt. Trailing 3-0 in the top of the third, Holmes led off with a base hit and Spalding would follow with a double to right to put runners on second and third with no one out. Hayes would once again deliver with a two-run single to center to cut the Mustang lead to 3-2. A wild throw by CBC pitcher Jessica Sheldon on a bunt attempt by Atwood gave the Cougars another scoring with nobody out and runners on second and third. After a strikeout of Eiken, Howell put the Cougars on top with a two-run single to right for a 4-3 Columbia lead.

The Mustangs would regain the lead with five runs in the bottom of the fifth and knock out Cougar starter Lauren McCroskie after 4.2 innings. Central Baptist held Columbia scoreless from there and added a run in the sixth to cap off the 9-4 win. McCroskie suffered the loss in her Cougar debut, allowing nine runs (six earned) on nine hits to go along with three strikeouts. Hayes and Howell each finished with two hits and two RBI in the loss.

Columbia will return to the diamond tomorrow, starting with an 11:00 a.m. game against Lindenwood-Belleville. The Cougars will wrap up the weekend with a 1:00 p.m. matchup with LSU-Alexandra. Both games will be played on the campus of Central Baptist College in Conway, Ark.