Irvine, Calif. - The Cougar Softball team dropped a pair of games to 3^rd-ranked Concordia (Calif.) University this afternoon. Columbia fell 11-2 in game one (5 innings) and fell by a score of 6-5 in game two after a walk off hit in the seventh. With the two defeats, the Cougars fall to 10-11 on the year.

The Cougars struck for a pair of runs in the first inning against the Eagles as Allyson Metz delivered a two-run home run for an early 2-0 lead. After a scoreless second inning and top of the third for the Cougars, Concordia took the lead with six runs in the bottom of the frame after six hits and one Columbia error. The Eagles extended their lead to 7-2 with a run in the fourth on a solo home run by Jasmin Dresser and would plate four runs in the bottom of the fifth to cap off the nine-run victory.

Paxton Welch (4-5) took the loss in the circle for the Cougars after allowing two earned runs on four hits while walking two. Tiffany Urwiler pitched two innings of relief, allowing five runs on six hits and walking two. Metz led the Columbia offense with a home run, a double, and two RBI while Tylin Stephens chipped in two hits.

In game two, the Cougars jumped on top in the second inning. Stephens singled, Brittiany Tjarks walked, and Samantha Davis followed with a single up the middle to begin the inning. With the bases loaded, Rachel Sullivan drew a walk to score Stephens and one batter later, Waldner walked to score Davis. With two outs, Metz singled up the middle as Sullivan came around the score for the 3-0 advantage.

The Cougars then plated a run in the third and one run in the fourth as Jessica Hardy and Spalding each led off with a solo home run. The Eagles got on the board in the fifth as Marissa Gilbuena doubled off the left field wall with the bases loaded to score two runs. A sac fly from Alyssa Yglesias added one more run and two Columbia errors would allow the inning to keep going where another run scored pulling the Eagles within one at 5-4. Davis and Spalding each singled at the top of the sixth to put runners on, but a double play at short ended the threat.

A walk and a single put two on for CUI with two out in the bottom of the sixth, but a sliding catch by Spalding sent them to the top with no harm done. After a scoreless top of the seventh for the Cougars, the Eagles loaded the bases with one out after a hit batter, walk, and a single. The Cougars then committed an error on a deep fly ball where two runs would score to end the game.

Lauren McCroskie started on the mound for the Cougars allowing three runs on four hits while striking out one in 4.2 innings of work. Amber Boehme allowed a run on two hits while striking out four in 1.2 innings out of the bullpen, but suffered the loss for the Cougars. Spalding finished with three hits and one RBI to lead the Columbia offense.

The Cougars will be off tomorrow before returning to action on Friday, March 27^th to take on Hope International Univesity (Calif.). First pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. CT. in Fullerton, Calif.