Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Columbia, Mo. - The Cougar Softball team swept a conference doubleheader from Harris-Stowe State University on Sunday afternoon to earn their fifth and sixth straight victories. Columbia won game one 12-0 in five innings and took game two by a 9-0 score in five innings as well. The Cougars improve to 17-10 overall and 9-1 in the American Midwest Conference (AMC) with the two wins.
 
Columbia picked up six hits in the bottom of the first on their way to a 5-0 lead after an inning of play. The Cougars plated five more runs in the third and two in the fourth as Lauren McCroskie and Amber Boehme combined for the shutout in the pitching circle. The Columbia offense finished with 14 hits, led by Brittiany Tjarks with three hits and Jessica Hardy with three RBI.
 
Carly Spalding doubled to lead off the second game and came around to score on a wild pitch for a 1-0 Cougar lead. Columbia scored in every frame, including four runs in the third, to take a 9-0 advantage after four and a half innings. Starting pitcher Paxton Welch retired the Hornets in order in the bottom of the fifth to complete her first career shutout after allowing just three hits and striking out four. Tjarks and Marli Hayes each finished with two hits and an RBI to lead the Cougar offense.
 
Prior to Sunday's games, Columbia seniors Kristin Eiken, Marli Hayes, Jamie Holmes, Whitni Howell, Taylor Richter, and Hanna Taylor were recognized for Senior Day.  
 
The Cougars will be back in action on Tuesday, April 8^th against crosstown opponent Stephens College in an AMC doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 pm at American Legion Park in Columbia.