PARAGOULD, Ark. – The Columbia College softball team earned a split in Friday's American Midwest Conference (AMC) doubleheader, shutting out Crowley's Ridge College in game one before dropping a tightly contested game two at Pioneer Park.

The Cougars took the opener 3-0 behind a dominant performance from freshman pitcher Megan Graver, who tossed a complete-game shutout with 11 strikeouts. Columbia dropped the second game 8-5.

Columbia moved to 26-12 overall and 17-5 in AMC play.

Game One: Columbia 3, Crowley's Ridge 0

Graver (12-5) was in complete control in the circle, allowing just five hits and one walk over seven shutout innings. She retired 11 batters via strikeout and lowered her ERA with another strong outing.

The Cougars capitalized in the third inning with an RBI triple from Abigail Zismer, who later scored on Ellie Kliethermes' RBI groundout. Cassidy Avery added an insurance run in the sixth with an RBI double.

Columbia Leaders – Game One:

• Megan Graver: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 0 ER, 11 K (Win)

• Cassidy Avery: 2-for-3, 2B, RBI, R, SB

• Abigail Zismer: 1-for-3, 3B, RBI, R

• Ellie Kliethermes: 1 RBI

• Kennedy Schanuth: 1-for-2, 2B, R

• Madyson Wear: 1-for-3, 2B

Game Two: Crowley's Ridge 7, Columbia 5

Columbia's offense kept pressure on throughout the nightcap, plating runs in the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings. However, early defensive miscues and timely hits from the Pioneers proved costly.

Wendy van Wijk provided a spark both at the plate and in the circle, collecting two hits and tossing two scoreless innings of relief. Columbia left 11 runners stranded despite 10 hits and multiple scoring opportunities.

Columbia Leaders – Game Two:

• Abigail Zismer: 2-for-5, R

• Ellie Kliethermes: 2-for-4

• Wendy van Wijk: 2-for-3, BB; 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R

• Kennedy Schanuth: 2-for-4, R

• Cassidy Avery: 1-for-3, RBI, R, HBP

• Rosalie Schneider: 1-for-3, RBI, R, SH

• Sophia Angel: RBI, BB, SB