Columbia, Mo. – This morning the third ranked Columbia College softball team was back in action when they took on the 18^th ranked University of Mobile (Ala.) Rams in the 2017 NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round Columbia (Mo.) Bracket Championship Game. The Cougars, who came into the game on a 16 game winning streak, were able to defeat the Rams by a final score of 4-1 and have solidified a spot in the NAIA Softball World Series in Clermont, Florida. This marks the 15^th time the Columbia College softball program has reached the final site of the NAIA National Tournament with their best finish coming in 2004 when they took fifth place. However, this is the first time that the Cougars have won their opening round bracket since this format was established five seasons ago.

The Cougars came out in the first inning of the game and took it to the University of Mobile from the opening pitch. They were able to shut down the Rams in the top of the first inning and then rallied for three runs in the bottom half of the frame to take an early 3-0 lead in the contest behind a two run double from Molly Carter that scored Theresa DeCosty and Carly Spalding.

Neither side could get anything going through the next few innings of play but the Rams were able to cut the Cougars lead to 3-1 after scoring a run in the top of the fifth inning. However, Columbia College responded quickly to the run from Mobile and were able to score a run of their own in the bottom of the fifth when Julianna Waldner crossed home on a Carly Spalding groundball. The Rams did all that they could to get back into the game in the final innings but Columbia College shut them down as the Cougars closed them out down the stretch to solidify a spot in the NAIA Softball World Series.

Paxton Welch (21-4) was the starting pitcher in this game as the senior continued to dominate following her perfect game on Monday to strike out four batters while allowing seven hits and one earned run in her 18^th complete game of the season. Offensively, Columbia College was led by Molly Carter who went 1-2 with two RBI and a run scored.

The official 10-team World Series bracket will be announced later today on NAIA.org after all Opening Rounds have been completed. The World Series is scheduled for May 26 – June 1 in Clermont, Florida, at the Legends Way Ball Fields.

For more information about the NAIA Softball World Series, click here.