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Box Score 2 Gulf Shores, Ala. – The Cougar Softball team suffered two more losses at the 2016 Gulf Coast Invitational on Saturday. Columbia fell to No. 9 William Carey University 2-0 in their first game of the day before dropping to Bethel University (Tenn.) by a score of 7-6. The Cougars are now 8-5 on the year.
The Cougars fell to the Crusaders 2-0 in game one of the day. Columbia totaled five hits and left six runners stranded throughout the game as they couldn't capitalize on the many scoring opportunities. After five and a half scoreless innings, William Carey would finally get on the board, brining two runs across on three hits in the bottom of the sixth. The two runs proved to be enough as the Crusaders held on for the shutout win over the Cougars.
Paxton Welch (3-3) took the loss in the circle after allowing just six hits and striking out two in six innings of work.
Carly Spalding,
Rachel Sullivan,
Allyson Metz,
Natalie Dummitt, and
Dakota Newton had one hit apiece.
In game two against the Wildcats, the Cougars struck for a run in the bottom of the first as Spalding singled and eventually scored on a wild throw. Bethel took a 2-1 lead in the top of the third on two hits, but Columbia responded with two more runs in the bottom of the frame to regain a 3-2 advantage.
The Wildcats would erupt for five runs at the top of the fourth on three hits and one Cougar error to go ahead 7-3. Columbia didn't back down from there as they would score three more runs in the bottom of the fourth, making it a one run game. With two outs,
Kaylee Brueggeman and Spalding hit back-to-back singles, putting runners on first and second. Sullivan then stroked a double to center, scoring both Brueggeman and Spalding. Sullivan later came around to score on a single by Metz. The Cougars would strand a runner in the fifth, sixth, and seventh but couldn't get another run across as the Wildcats were able to hang on for the win.
Amber Boehme (1-1) suffered the loss after allowing six hits and striking out two in three innings of work.
Lauren McCroskie gave up five hits and struck out one in three innings of relief. Spalding led the Cougar offense with three hits while Metz chipped in two hits and two RBI.
Columbia will resume play in the Gulf Shores Invitational with bracket play tomorrow. Check back at columbicougars.com for game times.
