Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 Fullerton, Calif. – The Cougar Softball team swept Hope International University this afternoon in a doubleheader, winning game one in five innings by a score of 13-0 and taking game two 11-4. Columbia improves to 12-11 overall with the two wins.

The Cougars struck first at the top of the third after Sophomore Carly Spalding tripled to center to score Kaylee Brueggeman, who reached base on a fielder's choice. Columbia produced three more runs as Tylin Stephens drew a walk and freshman Allyson Metz followed with a three-run homerun to left field to put the Cougars up 4-0.

Columbia stretched their lead out to seven at the top of the fourth after scoring three runs on four hits. Taylor Atwood led the inning off with a walk and Paige Kleffner entered the game to pinch run. Samantha Davis followed with a triple to right field to score Kleffner, and Spalding singled to bring Davis home to score. Metz drove in the seventh run as she singled through the left side to bring Spalding around to score for the 7-0 advantage over the Royals.

Four walks and a fielding error by the Royals allowed the Cougars to plate three runs to begin the fifth inning. Stephens added a run after an RBI double down the left field line and Jessica Hardy capped off the scoring with a two-run single to right field.

The Cougars provided more than enough offense for starting pitcher Paxton Welch, who picked up her fifth win of the season. The sophomore hurler no-hit the Royals over five innings and allowed just two base-runners for the game while striking out two. Spalding went 3 for 4 with three runs scored and three RBI to lead the Columbia offense, while Stephens finished with two hits and Metz finished with two hits and four RBI.

The Royals got on the board first in the second game on two hits and one error at the bottom of the first. The Cougars responded at the top of the second as Hardy and Atwood both singled up the middle and Lauren McCroskie and Davis were walked to bring across the first run. One batter later, Spalding singled to score Atwood and Stephens walked with bases loaded for a 3-0 advantage over HIU.

Columbia plated another run as Brittiany Tjarks blasted her third homerun of the season in the third. The Cougars continued the scoring in the fourth as Spalding hit an RBI triple and later scored on a groundout by Stephens. The Royals cut the deficit in the bottom of the frame after three walks and a single led to one run scored.

After two scoreless innings, the Cougar bats came alive as they scored five runs in the top of the seventh. Spalding hit a two-run RBI with bases loaded and advanced to second on the throw. Stephens then reached base on a fielder's choice as Sullivan scored. One batter later Metz singled up the middle to score Spalding and Dakota Newton grounded out to third base as Stephens came around to score. The Royals managed to tack on two runs in the bottom of the frame, but was unable to mount any kind of comeback.

Amber Boehme allowed two runs on 3 hits while striking out four over three innings to pick up her second win of the season. McCroskie pitched three innings of relief and allowed two runs on four hits while striking out four. Atwood and Spalding led the Cougars with three hits apiece while Spalding had four RBI and two runs scored. Metz, Hardy, and Davis each contributed two hits in the win.

Columbia will return home to take on crosstown foe Stephens College in a conference doubleheader on Tuesday, March 31^st. First pitch for the doubleheader is set for 2:00 pm at Antimi Black Field in Columbia.