Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Columbia, Mo. - In a matchup of two of the top teams in the American Midwest Conference, the Cougar Softball team split with a doubleheader with Missouri Baptist University today. Columbia came back for a 7-6 walk-off win in game one, but was unable to complete the sweep as the Spartans returned the favor with a 7-6 walk-off victory in game two. The Cougars move to 18-11 overall and 10-2 in AMC play with the split.
 
Columbia scored three early runs in game one with the help of four straight hits to start the bottom of the first inning. After a scoreless second inning, the Spartans were able to cut the Cougar lead to 3-2 on a two-run double by Payton Anderson in the top of the third. Columbia escaped a bases-loaded jam in the top of the fifth inning to preserve their one-run lead and tacked on two runs in the bottom of the frame on a solo home run by Carly Spalding and RBI single by Whitni Howell. Missouri Baptist would respond in a big way with four runs in the sixth as six straight hitters reached base to begin the inning. The Spartans threatened to add to their lead with runners on first and third and nobody out, but the Cougars got out of the inning with a bizarre 5-4-2-6 triple play to end the rally. Columbia held the Spartans in the top half of the seventh and Spalding would lead off the bottom of the inning with a single and advance to second on a stolen base. Marli Hayes followed with a single to left to send Spalding to third and Taylor Atwood would deliver a sacrifice fly to tie the score at 6-6. The Cougars loaded bases with one out before Paxton Welch grounded into a fielder's choice for the second out of the frame. Brittiany Tjarks stepped to the plate and struck out after falling behind 0-2, but a dropped third strike allowed Kristin Eiken to cross home plate with the winning run.
 
Welch earned the win for Columbia after throwing two scoreless innings in relief. Spalding led the Cougar offense with three hits, three runs scored, and two RBI and Hayes also had three hits.
 
Columbia jumped out to a 2-0 advantage in game two on an RBI groundout by Howell and RBI single by Lauren McCroskie in the top of the second. The Missouri Baptist offense came alive in the bottom of the third inning as they struck for six runs against Cougar starter Taylor Richter. Columbia battled back to tie things up at 6-6 with three runs in the fourth and one in the sixth. However, the Spartans took advantage of a leadoff walk by reliever Amber Boehme to start the bottom of the seventh as Andrea Chessor came through with a walk-off single to center field with two outs.
 
Boehme allowed a run on three hits in four innings out of the bullpen, but suffered the hard-luck loss for the Cougars. Jamie Holmes and Kaylee Brueggeman each had three hits and an RBI for Columbia.
 
The Cougars will travel to AMC opponent Hannibal-LaGrange University on Friday afternoon. First pitch for the doubleheader is set for 2:00 pm in Hannibal, Mo.