Koalas Defeat CIU in Extra Innings

Columbia College scored a run in the top of the eighth to defeat crosstown rivals CIU 5-4 in extra innings.

With the win, the Koalas improves to 11-8 overall and 5-6 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC). CIU falls to 13-17-1 overall and 4-5 in the AAC.

The Koalas will return to action Tuesday, March 29, when they face NCAA DII Benedict College for the second time this season.

CIU got on the scoreboard first, scoring one run in the bottom of the opening inning.

Columbia College quickly responded, scoring a run of its own in the top of the second.

The Koalas bats remained hot in the top of the third as they scored two runs off two hits to take the 3-1 lead. Columbia College added one run in the top of the fifth, but CIU remained poised.

With two runners on base, the Rams' Haylee Wilkerson hit a home run to left-center to knot the score at 4-all at the end of six.

Neither team managed to cross the plate in the 7th, sending the contest into extra innings.

Madison Lee led off the eighth inning with a single to second base, advanced to second on a wild pitch before advancing to third on a sac bunt. Kinsley Goza replaced Lee on third and eventually scored what proved to be the winning run.

Lee and Kiley Bridgmon finished the game with two hits each.  Lee added two RBIs and Alyssa Diaz had multiple runs with two.

Jenna Heath, who came on in relief to pitch three innings, allowing one run with two strikeouts, was the winning pitcher of record.

Shannon Patton had three hits to lead CIU at the plate.  Cissy Doolittle, who gave up four earned runs in five innings, was the losing pitcher.