Columbia, Mo. – (Bracket) The Columbia College softball team fell to Mount Mercy (Iowa) in their first game of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Softball National Championship Opening Round.

Final Score: Mount Mercy 4, Columbia 1 (8 innings)

The Scoring:
T3 – An RBI single gave the Mustangs the early lead (MMU 1, CC 0)
B3 – The Cougars tied the game as Carli Buschjost came across to score on the double from Mackenzie Kasarda. (MMU 1, CC 1)
T8 – A three-run home run gave Mount Mercy the advantage (MMU 4, CC 1)

Columbia Leaders:
Lexi Dickerson went 8.0 innings in the circle with three strikeouts. Carli Buschjost led the Cougars with two hits, while Mackenzie Kasarda, Avgustina Arbova, Skyler Kauble and Karolina Arbova added one hit each.

Up Next:
The Cougars will face Marian (Ind.) on Tuesday, May 18 at 12:00 p.m. in the first elimination game of the opening round. With a win, the team will play approximately 20 minutes following the conclusion of their game against Marian.