Koalas Clip First Place Eagles, Split Doubleheader

COLUMBIA, SC- Columbia Softball returned home after a week away, welcoming first place in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Reinhardt to the Sutton Softball Complex.

The visiting Eagles (17-9, 12-2) took game one convincingly, 5-2, but then a late sixth inning Columbia (14-18, 5-13) rally dealt Reinhardt its second conference loss in the nightcap, 3-2.

GAME ONE:
The Eagles were helped out by three straight Columbia errors to lead off game one, helping the guests build a quick 3-0 lead. Despite tallying two runs in the late innings, the margin proved too much for the Koalas to overcome.

GAME TWO:
Reinhardt again took an early advantage, 2-0 after three innings, then began cruising until the sixth inning.

In the sixth inning, with three runners on and no outs, Hope Azurdia was brought in to pinch-hit for the second time of the day. After failing to reach base during her appearance in game one, Azurdia would not be denied this time. The freshman shot a ball down the left field line into the corner, where the left fielder had trouble, allowing all runners to score and Azurdia to make it to third.

While the Koalas failed to tack on any more runs in the sixth... three was all they would need to knock off the Eagles, thanks to a warrior mentality in the circle from pitcher Jenna Heath.

In the top of the fifth inning, it looked as though Heath would not be able to finish the game after rolling her ankle during warm-ups to start the inning. But, after a quick medical evaluation, Heath returned to work and earned her fifth win of the season. She allowed just one hit over the final three innings.

UP NEXT:
The Koala's makeup against Tennessee Wesleyan for Saturday (4/1) has been postponed due to rain in the forecast. The makeup will now be played on Monday, April 3; Game one starts at 12:00 P.M.