Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 St. Louis, Mo. - The Cougar Softball team swept an American Midwest Conference (AMC) doubleheader with Missouri Baptist University this afternoon, taking game one 7-0 and game two 7-3. With the two victories, Columbia improves to 22-15 on the year and 13-7 in the AMC.

Carly Spalding put the Cougars ahead early after she ripped a shot to left, stole second, and scored on an RBI single by Allyson Metz. Columbia would add four more runs in the top of the 3^rd, highlighted by a three-run home run off of the bat of Metz.

The Spartans came close to getting on the scoreboard in the bottom of the 3^rd as they were able to load the bases after a hit batter and two singles, but the Cougars recorded the next two outs with force outs at the plate and the final out on a groundout to hold MBU scoreless.

In the top of the seventh, Metz singled up the middle, advanced to second on a passed ball, and moved to third on a single by Taylor Atwood. Jessica Hardy then laid down a perfect bunt to score Metz to complete the squeeze play. Tylin Stephens batted in the last run on an infield base hit. MBU could not get anything going in the final inning and dropped the game, 7-0.
 
Paxton Welch earned the win in the circle, shutting out the Spartans in seven innings with two strikeouts. The Cougars ended with 13 hits led by Metz with four hits and four RBI. Atwood chipped in three hits while Spalding and Hardy finished with two apiece.

In game two, the Cougars struck first again with three runs in the top of the third inning. Kaylee Brueggeman got the scoring started on a solo shot over the right field fence on a 3-2 count. Spalding followed with a double down the left field line and advanced to third on a single by Julianna Waldner. Spalding would come around to score on a sacrifice fly by Metz while Waldner moved to third on the batted ball. A single to left-center by Atwood would allow Waldner to score for a 3-0 advantage.

Missouri Baptist answered with three, 2-out runs in the third inning. With two runners on, Mikala Torrence hit a three-run home run to dead center field to tie the game at 3-3.

The Spartans had the chance to take the lead in the 4^th. Kelsey Snider singled up the middle and moved to third on a Columbia error. Corey Pitchford seemed to hit an RBI sac fly to left, but instead CC shortstop Samantha Davis snagged the fly ball with her back to the plate, and fired the throw to home. Atwood then tagged the sliding Snider on a bang-bang play for the inning-ending double play.

Columbia took a 4-3 lead in the top of the fifth as leadoff hitter Carly Spalding hit a screaming triple and tagged up to score on a sacrifice fly by Metz.

After keeping the Spartans scoreless for two straight innings, Columbia was able to put the game out of reach with three more runs on five hits in the top of the 7^th.

Lauren McCroskie recorded the win after giving up three runs on five hits in 5 innings of work. Welch pitched two innings of relief holding the Spartans scoreless while walking only one. Stephens went 4 for 4 to lead the offensive efforts while Spalding and Atwood had two hit apiece.

The Cougars will return home and host Lindenwood-Belleville in a doubleheader this Friday, April 17^th. First pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. at Antimi softball complex (black field).