Shawnee, Okla. - The Columbia Softball team picked up a split in their season opener at the Oklahoma Baptist Valentine Festival on Friday, defeating Bethany College 7-4 before falling to No. 21 ranked Oklahoma Baptist University 7-3 in the nightcap.

After two scoreless innings, the Swedes struck first as they jumped out to a three-run lead in the top of the third inning. Ashley Montoya walked to lead the inning off, and Alyssa Montoya hit a two-run homer to get Bethany on the board. The team extended its lead after Loren Stuive doubled up the middle and was advanced to third on a wild pitch. Another walk would put pressure on the Cougars as a second wild pitch scored Stuive from third, giving them the 3-0 advantage.

Columbia responded with one run in the bottom of the third. Jessica Hardy led off with a single up the middle and Allyson Metz followed with a single of her own to advance pinch runner Paige Kleffner to third. Carly Spalding reached first on the fielder's choice as Kleffner was tagged out at the plate. Dakota Newton entered the game to run for Metz who reached second on the throw home. With runners on first and second, Julianna Waldner singled up the middle as Newton came around to score.

Following a scoreless fourth inning, Columbia's offense erupted for three runs in the fifth to give them a one run lead. Kaylee Brueggeman doubled to center and advanced to third on a single by Spalding. A stolen base by Spalding and walk by Waldner loaded the bases with one out. Taylor Atwood stepped to the plate and blasted a two-run single up the middle and advanced Waldner to second.  A wild pitch moved the runners to third and second and Brittany Tjarks hit a double to score Waldner.

Bethany scored one run in the top half of the sixth. Ashley Montoya led off with a walk and Alyssa Montoya followed with a single. A sacrifice bunt moved runner's one base and a squeeze bunt attempt failed as Montoya was tagged out at the plate. However, one run scored on a wild throw to tie the game at four.

Hardy and Metz reached base on a walk in the bottom of the sixth inning. With one out, Spalding launched a three-run home-run to put the Cougar up 7-4. The Swedes were unable to muster a comeback as Columbia ran away with the victory.

Amber Boehme got the start for the Cougars, throwing two innings and allowing three earned runs off three hits while striking out three. Paxton Welch finished the game, allowing zero earned runs and gave up four hits while striking out three. Tjarks went 2-for-3 with one RBI. Spalding added two hits with two runs and three RBI's while Waldner, Atwood, Hardy, Metz, Brueggeman, and Rachel Sullivan tallied one hit each.

Columbia then took on Oklahoma Baptist in game two of the day. Both teams remained scoreless until the bottom of the third inning when the Bison took a five run lead over the Cougars. A leadoff single followed by an error and a walk loaded the bases. A deep double down the left field line brought in three runs. A wild pitch allowed the runner to move to third and was followed by another Bison double to bring the fourth run across the plate. Reiss reached base after a wild throw which allowed the runner to score from second. A fly out ended the inning as the Cougars went into the third inning down by five.

After a scoreless fourth inning, Columbia battled their way back as they scored three runs in the top of the fifth inning. Hardy put Columbia on the board after a solo home-run. Samantha Davis doubled to left and Paige Kleffner capped off the scoring with a two-run home-run to center field to make the score 5-3.

Oklahoma Baptist would plate another run in the bottom of the fifth inning and add one more in the bottom of the sixth while holding the Cougars scoreless.

Six different Cougars logged a hit in the contest.  Lauren McCroskie took the loss in the circle for Columbia after allowing three runs on two hits in two innings of work. Tiffany Urwiler allowed two earned runs on five hits in four innings of relief, while striking out three and walking four.

Columbia will return to the diamond tomorrow, starting with a 10:00 a.m. game against University of Science and Arts. The Cougars will wrap up the weekend with a 12:00 p.m. matchup with St. Gregory.