Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia Softball team suffered a doubleheader sweep against American Midwest Conference (AMC) opponent Benedictine University-Springfield on Saturday afternoon. The Cougars dropped game one 6-3 before falling in game two 5-4. With the two losses, the Cougars drop to 19-14 on the season and 10-6 in AMC play.
The Bulldogs jumped out to an early lead in game one on a two-out RBI single by Meghan Mooney in the bottom of the first. Benedictine-Springfield would add to their lead after scoring two runs in the fourth and three in the fifth for a 6-0 advantage. The Cougars cut the Bulldog lead in half on a three-run home run by
Carly Spalding in the seventh, but were unable to cause any further damage.
Paxton Welch suffered the loss after allowing two runs on six hits while striking out three. Spalding went 2-for-4 with three RBI to lead the Cougar offense.
In game two, Spalding got Columbia off to a quick start with a leadoff single and would come around to score on an RBI single by
Julianna Waldner. The Bulldogs responded with three runs at the top of the second, one run in the fourth and one in the fifth for a 5-1 lead over the Cougars.
Columbia would finally string some offense together in the bottom of the fifth as Spalding led off with a base hit and later came around to score on another RBI single by Waldner. Metz then doubled to deep right-center to put runners on second and third.
Taylor Atwood pushed across another run on an RBI single to score Waldner. The last run of the inning was scored as pinch runner
Paige Kleffner forced the throw down to second on the steal as Metz was able to make it home to pull the Cougars within one at 5-4.
Back-to-back singles by
Rachel Sullivan and Spalding and a Bulldog error would allow Columbia to load the bases in the bottom of the sixth with two outs, however starting pitcher Kelley McMahon would force a groundout for out number three.
Starting pitcher
Lauren McCroskie retired the Bulldogs in order at the top of the seventh as the Cougars headed into the bottom looking to make a comeback.
Jessica Hardy reached base on a walk and
Tylin Stephens followed with a single to threaten the Bulldogs, but a popup and a line out would end the rally for the Cougars.
McCroskie took the loss in the circle for Columbia after allowing five runs on seven hits in seven full innings of work. Spalding finished with three hits while Waldner, Atwood, and Sullivan chipped in two hits apiece.
Columbia will travel to William Woods for another conference doubleheader Tuesday, April 14
th. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. in Fulton, Mo.
