Columbia, Mo. – The Columbia College softball team was back on the field this morning as they continued play in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round bracket play. With the loss this morning the Cougars were taking on the four seed Madonna University Crusaders in an elimination game. The Cougars were victorious 3-2 in a tough battle over the Crusaders. Columbia is now 37-11 on the season.
With the game underway, each team was playing to keep their season alive. The Crusaders got on the board right away in the first to hold a 1-0 lead over Columbia. Heading into the fifth inning, the Cougars were still looking to get their offense rolling as they trailed 1-0. In the top of the sixth, Karolina Arbova singled to left, and was able to reach second on a sac bunt from Olivia Denslow. Libby Marko came up to bat and singled to left, moving Arbova to third. Molly Carter stepped up to the plate with runners on first and third and tripled up the center to bring in both runs, taking a 2-1 lead. Mackenzie Kasarda was up next and brought in Carter on a sac fly. Heading into the bottom of the sixth, Columbia led 3-1. The Crusaders were not backing down as they cut the lead 3-2, and had runners on first and third with one out in the inning. Kaitlyn Nottelmann came in to relieve Carter in the circle, in search of the final two outs of the sixth. With the bases loaded for the Crusaders, the batter hit to left field where Natalie Dummitt was able to make the catch and fired home right on target as catcher, Kasarda, made the play at the plate to keep the tying run from scoring and end the inning. Columbia remained on top 3-2 going into the final inning. In the top of the inning, Allison Keen ripped a single to center and Reagen Radke would come in to pinch run for Keen. A Crusader double play ended the inning for the Cougars, as they were still up by one and just three outs away from keeping their season alive. Columbia was locked in with Nottelmann on the mound and her defense backing her up as they were able to hold off the Crusaders and notch the 3-2 victory.
Molly Carter started the game as she allowed four hits, two earned runs, and had two strike outs in 5.1 innings. Kaitlyn Nottelmann came in and allowed zero hits and struck out the final batter of the game in her 1.2 innings of work. Offensively, Libby Marko went 2-3 with one run scored, Molly Carter went 1-3 with one run scored and two RBIs, Mackenzie Kasarda added an RBI, Natalie Dummitt was 1-3, Allison Keen was 1-2, and Karolina Arbova went 1-3 with one run scored.
The Cougars live to see another day as they will once again face the Valley City State University Vikings in the Championship game of the opening round tomorrow morning at 11 a.m. Columbia will need to sweep the Vikings in a doubleheader to advance to the National Tournament final site.
For all Softball National Championship Opening Round info click here.
