Koalas Take Advantage of UPike Errors to Get Sweep

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia College softball team squeaked out two wins against new conference foe Pikeville on Friday from the Sutton Complex. The Koalas took advantage of two throwing errors from UPike in the 9th inning of game one to snag a 1-0 win before edging the Lady Bears 3-2 in game two. The Koalas have now won 6 of their past 7 games .

The first game featured a pitcher's duel between senior Meghan Dennis and Pikeville's CJ Alincic as they went toe-to-toe for nine scoreless innings. However, finally in the bottom of the ninth, a two-out double from senior pitcher/1B Kylie Smith put the Koalas in business. A dropped strikeout by sophomore OF Hope Azurdia forced Pikeville into back-to-back throwing errors as Hope reached first base safely while the throw over to 3rd to get Smith went wide into left field as the Koalas came home with the walk-off win.

Dennis threw her 5th complete game of the season by tossing a 6-hit, 9-inning shutout allowing no walks and striking out two while improving to 5-2 with a 2.81 ERA. Smith led the offense with 2 hits and a double while outfielders Ruthie Roman and senior Mary-Catherine Sanders also recorded singles. Smith increased her average to .387 with 15 RBIs and 24 hits on the seaon

Game 2

Pitcher Kylie Smith, pictured below, then started game two in the circle for CC and proceeded to throw another complete game allowing just 4 hits and 2 runs (1 earned) on a walk and 4 strikeouts over 7 innings to get the win improving to 5-4.

Smith also went 3 for 3 from the plate in the win along with a double and an RBI single in the first. Roman also produced an RBI single in the 6th to tie the game at two before freshman pinch-hitter Madison Knapper reached base via error while scoring Roman from second. Senior 2B Brooklyn Franco, who had walked, was thrown out at home trying to score from first. Grad Senior 3B Aislyn Sharp also recorded a double in the win while Sanders and Franco notched hits as well.

Columbia improves to 12-8 on the season and 7-3 in the AAC and will next remain home to continue their season-long homestand when they host non-conference NAIA foe Brewton-Parker College on Wednesday at 2:00 PM.