Gulf Shores, Ala. – Today the Columbia College softball team was back in action when they traveled to Gulf Shores, Alabama, to take part in the 2018 Gulf Coast Invitational. The Cougars swept the double header today defeating Keiser University (Fla.) by a final score of 4-3 in their first game and then defeated Spring Hill College (Ala.) by a final score of 5-4 in their second game. With the sweep, Columbia College improves to 4-1 on the season.

The Cougars jumped to an early 2-0 lead over the Seahawks to start the day. It was not until the fourth inning when the Seahawks were able to tie the game at 2 and then take a one run lead after five innings. Columbia quickly tied the game back at 3 in the sixth. The Cougars were able to take the lead 4-3 in the top of the eighth and hold off the Seahawks to secure their third win of the season. Columbia was led by Molly Carter who went 3-4, bringing in all three Cougar RBI's. Dakota Newton went 2-4 with two runs scored, while Rachel Sullivan was also 2-4 with one run scored. Lexi Dickerson was on the mound to start as she pitched 3.1 innings only giving up three hits while striking out two batters. Emerson Yakle was the winning pitcher as she struck out three batters and gave up just two hits and one earned run in 4.2 innings of work.

In their second game of the day, Columbia College again took the early 2-0 lead after two innings of play over the Badgers. After three innings, the Cougars held a 3-1 lead, but over the course of the next two innings the Badgers would tie the game at 3. Columbia found themselves trailing 3-4 heading into the seventh inning. In the seventh, the Cougars were able to load the bases as Natalie Dummitt singled to right to bring in Julianna Waldner as the game was tied at 4. Olivia Denslow was then able to reach first on a wild throw while Libby Marko would cross home plate to secure the Cougars 5-4 victory. Kaitlyn Nottelmann was the starting pitcher as she pitched 2.1 innings giving up one hit and one earned run while striking out two batters. Lexi Dickerson was the winning pitcher striking out five batters and giving up just one earned run on five hits in 4.2 innings on the mound.  

Columbia College is back in action tomorrow morning when they take on 14^th ranked Reinhardt University (Ga.) in their third game of the 2018 Gulf Coast Invitational. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m.