Koalas Shutout CIU to Secure the Season Sweep

Pictured: Alyssa Diaz

Alyssa Diaz led off the fourth inning with a home run as Columbia College defeated CIU, 4-0, to secure the season sweep of the Rams. The Koalas defeated CIU 5-4 in eight innings at CIU (Mar. 25).

The win improves Columbia College to 13-15 overall and 6-11 in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC). The Rams drop to 15-26-1 overall and 6-13 in the AAC.

Kiley Bridgmon scored on a passed ball in the bottom of the first to open the scoring in the contest.

The Koalas put up their second run in the bottom of the second when Madison Hearn hit a double to left field to score Madison Lee. 

After neither team scored in the third inning, Diaz's home run put the Koalas up by three by the end of the fourth. An error by the Rams' shortstop allowed Lee to cross the plate for Columbia College's final run in the bottom of the sixth.

Lee finished the game with 2-for-2 with two runs.  Kiley Bridgmon went 1-for-2 with a run and a walk.

Pitcher Elizabeth Stroud was again solid on the mound, going all seven innings, allowing just two hits with three strikeouts to pick up the win.

Dallas Mayers and Haylee Wilkerson had one hit each for CIU. Julia Thielen, who went three innings, allowing five hits with three runs, was the losing pitcher of record.

The Koalas will return to the field Wednesday, Apr. 13, when they host Montreat College in an AAC doubleheader. The first pitch is at approximately 4 p.m.