Allen, Texas – The No. 6-ranked Columbia College softball team began its season at the NAIA Winter Invitational in Allen, Texas, on Friday. In the season opener, the Cougars split a doubleheader falling to (4) Oklahoma City, followed by a 5-0 victory in game two against Oklahoma Panhandle State. 
 
The Cougars are now 1-1 on the season.
 
Game 1: (4) Oklahoma City 4, (6) Columbia 0
The Scoring:

• T4 (OCU) – The Stars opened the scoring in the fourth on a two-run double. (OCU 2, CC 0)
• T6 (OCU) – An RBI double increased the Stars lead (OCU 3, CC 0)
• T7 (OCU) – Oklahoma City scored their final run on an RBI double. (OCU 4, CC 0)

 
Individual Leaders:

• Taylor Barnes and Kaylie Kaufman combined for the two Cougar hits.
• Mackenzie Kasarda, Athena Wheeler, and Emily King reached base on a walk.
• Madison Ramsey pitched 1.2 innings in relief, allowing one earned run on one hit and striking out two.

 
Game 2: (6) Columbia 5, Oklahoma Panhandle State 0
The Scoring:

• B2 (CC) – The Cougars struck first on an RBI single from Jodi Polly, scoring Suzanna Shanks. Karolina Arbova added to the scoring with a two-run home run, her first of the season. (CC 3, OKPS 0)
• B5 (CC) – Kaylie Kaufman singled to left field, scoring Karolina Arbova. (CC 4, OKPS 0)
• B6 (CC) – Athena Wheeler drilled her first Cougar home run (CC 5, OKPS 0)

 
Individual Leaders:

• Kaylie Kaufman, Athena Wheeler, Jodi Polly, and Karolina Arbova had two hits each.
• Karolina Arbova drove in two runs and scored twice.
• Kaufman, Wheeler, and Polly added RBIs.
• Ella Schouten made her collegiate debut and earned the win tossing all seven innings, allowing no runs on three hits, and striking out seven.

 
Up Next:
The Cougars are back on the diamond on Saturday, Feb. 12, as they face (3) Science & Arts at 10:00 AM and Bellevue at 12:15 PM.