Henderson, Tenn. – The Columbia Softball team picked up their second doubleheader sweep of the weekend with a pair of wins at Freed-Hardeman University Saturday afternoon. The Cougars pounded out 11 hits in a 12-4 game one victory and followed with a 5-1 win in game two. Columbia improves to 20-16 (10-6 AMC) with the two victories while the Lions fall to 20-14 on the season (12-8 AMC).

The Lions scored first in the bottom of the second inning on an RBI single by Jenna Graham. After two scoreless innings, Rachel Sullivan and Carly Spalding hit back-to-back singles, putting runners on first and second. Molly Carter followed with a double to deep right field, bringing Sullivan around to score for the first run. Allyson Metz then stroked a double to score both Spalding and Carter, giving the Cougars a 3-1 advantage over the Lions.

Columbia extended their lead to six in the top of the sixth on three hits, highlighted by a base clearing triple by Olivia Denslow. The Lions cut the deficit by adding two more runs thanks to a Columbia throwing error in the bottom of the sixth to make the score 7-3.

The Cougars took advantage of two walks and four errors by the Lions in the top of the seventh to score five more runs to go ahead 12-3. Freed-Hardeman tallied a run in the bottom of the frame, but was unable to overcome the deficit as the Cougars took game one 12-4.

Junior hurler Paxton Welch earned the win, allowing just two runs and scattering 10 hits in seven innings of work. Denslow led the offensive attack, recording three hits, including two extra base hits and five RBI. Sullivan and Spalding chipped in two hits apiece.

Columbia used eight hits to win game two by a score of 5-1. The Cougars scored two runs in the third, two in the fifth, and one in the seventh which proved to be enough to pick up the sweep over the Lions. FHU would get on the board in the bottom of the sixth, but couldn't get their bats going to score anymore runs throughout the game.

Amber Boehme picked up the victory on the mound, allowing just three hits and striking out five in seven innings. Metz had two hits including a double and two RBI while Carter added two hits of her own.

The Cougars return home to host conference foe William Woods University on Tuesday, April 12^th. The first pitch is set for 2:00 p.m. at Antimi Softball Complex.