Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Columbia, Mo. - The Cougar Softball team swept a conference doubleheader from 17^th-ranked Park University on Tuesday afternoon, winning game one in walk-off fashion 4-3 before taking game two by a score of 10-2. Columbia improves to 15-10 overall and 7-1 in league play with the two wins, while the Pirates drop to 24-6 (10-2 AMC).
 
In game one, the Cougars took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on a two-run home run to right center by Marli Hayes after a leadoff single by Jamie Holmes. Columbia would push another run across in the third on an RBI groundout by Whitni Howell for a 3-0 advantage. Park got on the board in the top of the fourth on a two-out RBI by Kim Breyfogle to cut the Cougar lead to 3-1. The Pirates were able to capitalize on a wild pitch and passed ball by the Cougars in the sixth inning to tie score at 3-3. After a scoreless top of the seventh, Carly Spalding singled and moved into scoring position via a stolen base to begin the bottom of the frame. She would advance to third on a sacrifice by Hayes, followed by a walk to Taylor Atwood to put runners on the corners. Kristin Eiken stepped to the plate with one out and lined the first pitch down the third base line to bring home Spalding for the walk-off victory.
 
Hayes would connect on her second two-run home run of the day in the top of the first inning of game two to stake Columbia to an early 2-0 advantage. Park cut the lead in half with a run in the bottom of the first, but the Cougars answered with two runs in the second and third and four more in the fourth. Eiken and Brittiany Tjarks each connected on two-run home runs as Columbia took a commanding 10-2 lead after four innings of play. Starting pitcher Taylor Richter allowed two runs on five hits over five innings to pick up her fourth win of the season. Hayes and Lauren McCroskie each had two hits to pace the Cougar offense.
 
Prior to game time, Cougar head coach Wendy Spratt was recognized for her 700^th career win at Columbia.
 
The Cougars will return to the diamond to play host to conference foe Missouri Baptist University on Friday, April 4^th. First pitch for the doubleheader is set for 2:00 pm at Antimi Black Field in Columbia.