Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia College softball team picked up an American Midwest Conference sweep over Lyon College this afternoon at Antimi Softball Complex. The Cougars racked up 13 hits in the first game of the day, helping the squad to a 6-1 victory before taking game two by a score of 7-2. With the wins, Columbia improves to 23-17 on the season and 13-7 in AMC play while the Scots fall to 26-20 overall and 11-11 in league play.
The Cougars got on the board in the bottom of the third as Carly Spalding singled up the middle, stole second, and scored on a base hit by Molly Carter. After nearly being shut down for three innings, the Scots tallied two hits, including a double by Yumiko Hiroto and knotted the game at one with a run thanks to a wild throw by the Cougars.
Columbia's bats came alive in the bottom of the fourth as the squad posted five hits and scored four runs to go ahead 5-1. Julianna Waldner got things going as led off with a single and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Dakota Newton. The next at bat, Kaylee Brueggeman ripped a triple over the right fielders head, bringing Waldner around to score. Rachel Sullivan kept the offense going as she singled to left field to score Brueggeman and Spalding tripled the next at bat, bringing in Sullivan. Carter added the last run of the inning on a single between the first and second baseman.
The Cougars extended their lead in the fifth with a run as Waldner singled and eventually scored from third as the Lyon catcher threw to second on a steal by Brueggeman.
Six runs would be enough for starting pitcher Paxton Welch as she held the Scots scoreless in the final two innings to pick up her 10th win of the season. The junior struck out seven batters and limited Lyon to just five hits in the contest. Carter led the offensive attack as she went 4-for-4 with two RBI. Sullivan, Spalding, Metz, and Waldner added two hits apiece.
Columbia notched an early run in game two, as Spalding reached base on a fielder's choice and eventually scored from third as Carter forced a run down between first and second base.
The Scots responded with two run in the top of the second thanks to a wild throw by the Cougars and an RBI single by Tess Hurley-Brown.
Columbia regained the lead in the bottom of the third after scoring two runs on three hits. Spalding led off with an infield single, stole second, advanced to third on a single by Carter and scored on a passed ball. Olivia Denslow put the Cougars on top 3-2 with a base hit to center to score Carter.
The Cougars added four runs to their lead in the fourth inning to go ahead 7-2. Spalding ripped a double to score Brueggeman who reached base on a walk and Carter followed with an RBI single to left to bring Sullivan around to score. Denslow rounded out the scoring in the inning with a two-run single up the middle.
Seven runs proved to be enough for starting pitcher Lauren McCroskie as she shut the Scots down over the next three innings to pick up the win. The junior allowed just six hits and struck out three in seven innings of work. Columbia had ten hits in the contest led by Sullivan, Spalding, Carter, and Denslow with two hits apiece.
The Cougars will host Central Baptist College tomorrow, April 16th in a doubleheader beginning at 2:00 p.m. at Antimi Softball Complex. Prior to tomorrow's game, Kaylee Brueggeman and Amber Boehme will be recognized for Senior Day.
