Columbia, Mo. – This afternoon the third ranked Columbia College softball team was back in action when they played host to the 22^nd ranked Freed-Hardeman (Tenn.) University Lions in the Cougars final regular season doubleheader. Columbia College was able to sweep the Lions as they won the first game by a final score of 5-0 and the second game by a final score of 8-0 in six innings. With the sweep, the Cougars improve to 38-5 on the season and have clinched the AMC regular season title outright. This marks the 13^th overall regular season conference title since the program was founded and their 11^th outright championship.

Columbia College got off to a quick start in the first game as they were able to take an early 2-0 lead in the contest after Alexandra Linck hit a two-run double in the bottom of the first inning. The Cougar continued to put the ball in play as the game progressed and were able to add two more runs in the bottom of the third inning and one in the bottom of the sixth to take a 5-0 lead into the seventh. The Lions did their best to get back into the game down the final stretch but were unsuccessful as Columbia was able to close out the game and clinch their eighth straight
win.

Paxton Welch (16-4) was in the circle for the Cougars as she struck out four batters while allowing just two hits in her sixth complete game shutout of the season. Offensively, Columbia was
led by Alexandra Linck who went 1-3 with two RBI's and Theresa DeCosty who went 1-3 with two runs scored.

In their second game against the Lions, the Cougars were able to get off to another quick start as Carly Spalding led off the bottom of the first inning with a base hit and later came around to score on a double from Molly Carter to give Columbia a 1-0 lead. The Cougars continued to hit the ball well throughout the game and were able to add three runs in the third inning, one run in the fourth, and two runs into the fifth to take a 7-0 lead into the sixth. The Lions had trouble getting anything going all game and Columbia was able to score one final run in the bottom of the sixth to complete the two game sweep.

Lauren McCroskie (19-1) was the starting pitcher in this game as she struck out three batters while allowing just three hits in her fifth complete game shutout of the season. In addition, Alexanda Linck went 2-3 with two RBI and Allyson Metz went 2-4 with two runs scored to lead Columbia at the plate.

This marks the end the 2017 regular season for the Cougars. Columbia will await the end of the regular season to see who they will face on Friday, April 28^th for the Quarterfinals of the AMC Championships. The doubleheader will start at 2 p.m. at the Antimi Softball Complex.