KISSIMMEE, Fla. - Leading 2-1, Columbia used a six-run seventh inning to pull away from Bucknell and capture an 8-1 victory in the Lions' first game of the day at the Rebel Games. However, St. Louis eked out a run in the sixth inning of game two, breaking a 2-2 tie, to hand the Lions a 3-2 defeat.
With the game scoreless in the top of the fourth, Kim Krisman and Lexie Costic were in scoring position for Keli Leong. The first-year delivered her ninth RBI of the season, driving home Costic and Krisman soon followed on a wild pitch to the next batter.
With the Lions ahead 2-1 in the bottom of the fourth, Bucknell had a runner on second with a run already in. Starter Jackie Adelfio got Cassie Lloyd to fly out to Lexie Costic in right field and Costic gunned down Kris Devore at third base, trying to tag from second to strike down the Bison rally.
Adelfio held Bucknell at bay for the rest of the game and with two outs, Columbia pounded out six straight hits in the seventh inning to plate six runs and open an 8-1 margin, keyed by a double from Ciji Rich that gave Columbia a 3-1 advantage.
Adelfio (5-2) gave up just four hits over seven innings for her fifth straight victory.
In game two, St. Louis picked up two early runs in the top of the first, but the Lions came right back with a run in the bottom of the first and another run in the second to tie the score at two.
Columbia was poised to take the lead in their half of the fifth with a runner on second and two out, but Ashlee Heady made a lunging grab at short stop to grab Kacy Krisman's line drive that appeared headed for center field and the game remained tied.
St. Louis scratched out a run on an infield hit in the sixth, but starter Maiya Chard-Yaron struck out Rachel Heet with runners on the corners and then got Christy Ernst to ground out with the bases loaded to hold the Billikens at bay.
Chard-Yaron (1-2) only gave up five hits over seven innings but was handed the tough-luck decision.
Columbia (7-5) returns to action on Tuesday, March 14 in its final day at the Rebel Games. The Lions will take on Maine at 8:50 a.m. and Binghamton at 12:30 p.m.
