KISSIMMEE, Fla. - After Columbia fell to Maine 3-0 in the day's opener at the Rebel Games, the Lions stormed back to defeat Binghamton 4-0 in the nightcap behind
Maiya Chard-Yaron's complete-game six-hitter.
Maine put two quick runs on the board in the first inning to jump out to a 2-0 lead on a two-out double by Amy Kuhl to the left-center field fence.
Columbia could manage only four hits against Maine starter Sarah Bennis, who fanned 10 batters over seven innings.
Jackie Adelfio (5-3) picked up her first loss in six decisions, after essentially holding the Black Bears at bay after the first inning.
In the second game, the Lions put two runs on the board in the top of the second inning. Kacy Krisman began the rally with a sharp one-out single to left and promptly stole second.
After Lacie Nelson singled and both runners were advanced on a sacrifice by Hilary Parsons, Lexie Costic's single brought home Krisman with the first run of the game. Kim Krisman then drove home Nelson with an infield hit and Columbia went ahead 2-0.
After Chard-Yaron allowed a two-out single in the first, she retired the next 10 batters until giving up a single to lead off the fifth. With two runners on and two out in the fifth, Chard-Yaron struck out Lauren Verusio to squash the Binghamton threat.
Columbia added on two more runs in the top of the sixth. Parsons led off with a single to right-center and two batters later, Kim Krisman reached on an infield single and stole second. When the Binghamton catcher tried to throw behind Parsons at third, the throw skipped into the outfield and Parsons came home with the third Columbia run.
Krisman advanced to third on the throw and came home on an RBI groundout from Keli Leong to provide the final margin.
Chard-Yaron (2-2) allowed just six hits over seven innings to notch her first career complete-game shutout and the first this season for Columbia.
The Lions (8-6) return to action at the Capital Classic in Sacramento, Calif. on Friday, March 17. Columbia will take on Illinois in the first game of a doubleheader at 3:30 p.m. Eastern time and then will face Cal at 6 p.m. Eastern.
