Clermont, Fla. – The Columbia College softball team was back in action this evening when they were finally able to resume play against the University of Science & Arts of Oklahoma after a long rain delay. Tonight Columbia dropped their first game of the World Series to the Drovers by a score of 7-6 in extra innings. The Cougars move to 36-15 on the season.
In the game that began yesterday, May 29th, the Drovers took the early 2-0 lead. However, the Cougars did not waste any time as a two run homerun in the top of the third off the bat of Molly Carter tied the game at two. Due to rainy weather, the game was delayed in the fourth inning and did not resume play until this evening where the game picked up where it left off tied 2-2. Once the game resumed, neither team was able to score in the beginning. In the bottom of the sixth, the Drovers went on a run bringing in four runs to hold a 6-2 lead heading into the seventh. Once again, Columbia was ready to fight and went on a run of their own rallying four runs to tie the game at 6. In the bottom of the seventh, the Cougars were able to hold the Drovers to force extra innings. The eighth would be scoreless for each team. The game remained tied heading into the bottom of the ninth where the Drovers were able to score off of a double to take the win over the Cougars 7-6.
Lexi Dickerson was on the mound as she allowed three hits, two earned runs, and two unearned, while striking out two batters in her 5.0 innings of play. Kaitlyn Nottelmann came in to relieve Dickerson as she allowed two hits, three earned runs, while striking out three batters. Offensively, Rachel Sullivan went 2-5 with two runs scored, Dakota Newton went 1-4 with one run scored and two RBI's, Molly Carter went 2-4 with two runs scored and two RBI's, Alexandra Linck was 1-4 with two RBI's, Natalie Dummitt went 1-2 with one run scored, and Karli Leeper went 1-4.
The softball team is set to play in an elimination game against the winner of the Southern Oregon vs. Oklahoma City game that is currently being played right now. Columbia will take on the winner immediately following the conclusion of the game.
