Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia College softball split with American Midwest Conference (AMC) opponent Freed-Hardeman University this afternoon. Columbia pulled away with an 8-7 victory in game one before dropping a 6-4 contest to the Lions. With the split, the Cougars move to 8-9 on the season.

The Lions jumped on top early as Caitlyn Carter singled to left to begin the game and advanced to third on a wild throw from the outfield. Amanda Bond singled to right to score Carter for the early 1-0 lead. The Cougars responded in the bottom of the frame as Carly Spalding led off with a single and stole second to put herself in scoring position. Spalding would come around to score on a groundout by Allyson Metz to knot the score at one.

After a scoreless second inning, Metz singled to right and advanced to third on Taylor Atwood's double down the left field line. Jessica Hardy followed with a three-run homer over the center field fence to give the Cougars a 4-1 advantage. Columbia would add a fifth run in the bottom of the fourth as Spalding hit a screaming liner up the middle and scored on a line drive to the fence by Waldner.

Freed-Hardeman scored two runs in the top of the fifth on four hits to cut the Cougar lead, but Columbia would respond with three more runs in the bottom to make it 8-3. Atwood led the inning off with a single to deep right and Rachel Sullivan entered the game to pinch run. Freshman Tylin Stephens then doubled to deep left-center to score Sullivan and Brittiany Tjarks followed with a two-run homer to end the scoring for the Cougars.

At the top of the sixth, Freed-Hardeman pulled within one as Amanda Bond hit a base clearing double and Katie Sholl came in to pinch run. Sholl later came around to score on a base hit by Lauren Bradley. Paxton Welch was able to get out of the jam as she forced a groundout for the third out to take the victory.
Welch allowed six runs on 12 hits over seven innings to pick up her fourth win of the season. Spalding, Waldner, Atwood, and Hardy each had two hits to pace the Cougar offense.  

The Lions drew first blood in game two, scoring two runs on three hits at the top of the second.

The Cougar offense came alive in the bottom of the fifth, scoring four runs for a 4-2 lead over Freed. Stephens reached base on a misplayed grounder and advanced to second on a base hit to shallow left by Samantha Davis. Sullivan followed with a double to left center, scoring Stephens and moving Davis to third. Spalding then singled as Davis came around to score for the 2-2 tie. With two outs, Waldner came up big as she singled to center, bringing Sullivan and Spalding in to score as the Cougars doubled the Lion lead.

After a scoreless sixth inning, Freed-Hardeman loaded the bases after a double, a walk and a base hit to begin the inning. With nobody out, Mallory Spurlock stepped to the plate and blasted a grand slam over the centerfield fence, as the Lions overcame the deficit to take the 6-4 lead. Amber Boehme would retire two and force a groundout to get out of the inning.

Columbia looked to rally in the bottom of the seventh as Davis and Spalding singled to put runners on first and second, but starting pitcher Kamara Trice would work her way out of the jam for the win.

Lauren McCroskie started for the Cougars and allowed two runs on three hits in 1.2 innings. Boehme came in as relief and allowed four runs on seven hits while striking out three in five innings of play. Spalding, Waldner, and Davis led the Cougars offense with two hits apiece.

The Cougars will face La Sierra University in a doubleheader on Monday, March 23^rd in Riverside, Calif. starting at 1:00 p.m.