Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Henderson, Tenn. - The Columbia Softball team was swept by Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) University in an American Midwest Conference doubleheader on Friday afternoon. The Lions shut out the Cougars 1-0 in the first game of the day and won game two by a score of 2-1. Columbia drops to 26-13 overall on the season and finishes conference play with a mark of 18-4.
 
Pitching was the story in game one as Paxton Welch and Sarah Cousar shut out the opposing offenses through the first four innings. The Cougars loaded the bases with two outs in the top of the fifth but were unable to get on the scoreboard as Carly Spalding popped out to end the frame. Freed-Hardeman would score the game's first run in the bottom of the inning on a leadoff double by Jessica Weeks and an RBI single by Amanda Bond. Columbia was able to put the tying run on base in the seventh on a one-out walk to Brittiany Tjarks, but Cousar was able to retire Maria Imhoff and Lauren McCroskie to cap off the shutout victory.
 
Welch took the loss in the pitching circle for the Cougars despite allowing just one run on five hits in six innings. Tjarks, Imhoff, and Jamie Holmes each had one of Columbia's three hits in the contest.
 
The strong pitching continued into the second game as neither team scored through the first three innings. The Lions would take a 2-0 lead with a pair of runs in the top of the fourth against Cougar starter Taylor Richter. Columbia finally got on the board in the bottom of the sixth as Marli Hayes came around to score on a sacrifice fly by Brittiany Tjarks. The Cougars put the tying run on once again with one out in the bottom half of the seventh, but Freed-Hardeman starter Kamara Trice was able to get the final two outs to earn the complete game win.
 
Richter suffered another tough-luck loss in the circle for Columbia after giving up two runs in 5.2 innings of work. The Cougars recorded six hits in the game, led by Holmes and Hayes with two apiece.   
 
Columbia will finish out the regular season with a non-conference doubleheader at NCAA Division II opponent Lindenwood (Mo.) University on Monday, April 21^st. First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 pm in St. Charles, Mo.