Columbia, Mo. – The Cougar Softball team swept an American Midwest Conference (AMC) doubleheader with Stephens (Mo.) College this afternoon, taking game one 12-0 (five innings) and game two 9-0 (five innings). With the two victories, Columbia improves to 14-11 overall on the year and 5-3 in the AMC.

After a scoreless first inning, the Cougars erupted for six runs on seven hits. Taylor Atwood led the inning off with a single to left-center and Paige Kleffner entered the game to pinch run. Rachel Sullivan then laid down a perfect bunt and reached third on a wild throw. Kleffner scored on the batted ball for the first run of the game. Samantha Davis followed with an RBI single and two batters later Tylin Stephens singled to center as Davis came around to score. Allyson Metz hit a two-run single and Jessica Hardy added the last run of the inning on an RBI single to shallow right.

Starting pitcher Paxton Welch made quick work of the Stars in the top of the third. Columbia plated two more runs in the bottom of the frame. Kaylee Brueggeman reached first on an error and scored on an RBI triple by Carly Spalding. Stephens then singled to center to score Spalding for an 8-0 advantage.

The Cougars plated their final four runs on a three-run triple by Spalding and an RBI single by Stephens.  

Welch (7-5) retired the Stars in order in the top of the fifth to complete her third shutout of the season after allowing just two hits and striking out three.  Stephens led the Cougar offense after going three-for-three with three RBI and one run scored. Spalding and Davis each collected two hits while Spalding had four RBI and two runs scored.

In game two, the Cougars scored an early run as Spalding led off with a walk, stole second, and reached third on a wild throw. Metz followed with a deep fly ball to right to score Spalding for the 1-0 advantage. Columbia would add a second run in the bottom of the third as Davis hit her first collegiate homerun over the right field fence.

Columbia doubled the score as Kleffner ripped a hard shot past the third baseman to score two runs at the top of the fourth. Davis then grounded out to second to score Atwood and Sullivan hit an RBI single as Kleffner came around to score. Stephens then followed with a two-run single to center and Metz rounded out the scoring with an RBI double down the left field line. Tiffany Urwiler entered the game to pitch at the top of the fifth where she caused a popup and retired the last two as the Cougars ran away with the shutout victory.

Amber Boehme picks up her third win of the season after holding Stephens scoreless and allowing just one hit and zero walks while striking out six. Metz went two-for-two with one run scored and two RBI to lead the offensive efforts. Spalding, Stephens, Kleffner, Davis, and Sullivan each chipped in one hit.

The Cougars will hit the road this Friday, April 3^rd to take on AMC opponent Missouri Baptist in a doubleheader. The first pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. in St. Louis, Mo.