Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 ORLANDO, Fla. – The Columbia softball team opened up the UCF Invitational on Friday in defeat, falling to both Longwood, 2-0, and LIU, 4-1, at the UCF Softball Complex.
 
Columbia (3-4) was limited to just one run in the two games combined. Abby Stuart, Sommer Grzybek and Max Ortega had two hits apiece, combining for six of the team's eight hits on the day.
 
Despite the offensive struggles, the pitching staff allowed just four earned runs over 13 combined innings pitched. Madison Canby started and went 5.1 innings against LIU.
 
The Lions will look to turn things around on Saturday when they take on Drexel. First pitch from the UCF Softball Complex is set for 11 a.m.
 
For the latest on Columbia Softball, follow @CULionssoftball on Twitter and Instagram, and the web at GoColumbiaLions.com.
 
 
Game 1 Recap: Columbia 0, Longwood 2
Columbia was not able to record a run against Longwood pitcher junior Sydney Backstrom and was shut out 2-0 by the Lancers.
 
Senior Madison Canby (2-2) started and took the loss in the circle for Columbia (3-3). The right-hander went 5.1 innings, giving up two runs, both of them earned, on five hits, allowing one walk and striking out two. Sophomore Monique Benjamin entered in a 1-0 game and was tagged for a double to allow her inherited runner to score, but still went 1.2 shutout innings while allowing just the one hit, walking none and striking out one.
 
Columbia managed four hits off Backstrom, getting one apiece from Hailey Wetherill, Max Ortega, Abby Stuart and Danielle Mandichak.
 
Columbia did not advance a runner past second base in the game. The Lions went 0-for-2 with runners in scoring position, last placing a runner as far as second in the first, when Wetherill made it into scoring position with one out.
 
Backstrom (3-3) earned the shutout win for the Lancers, striking out seven and walking just one on 98 pitches.
 
 
Game 2 Recap: Columbia 1, LIU 4
Though they had plenty of opportunities, Columbia had a hard time cashing them in, leaving 10  on base in a 4-1 setback at the hands of the LIU Sharks in Friday's second game.
 
Senior Erin Gallo (0-1) started and took the loss in the circle for Columbia (3-4). She surrendered three runs, only one of which was earned, in the third inning. She walked a pair to load the bases before hitting a batter to bring in LIU's first run.
 
First-year Kaia McCaul was a bright spot out of the bullpen, going 3.2 innings, surrendering one run on four hits, walking one and striking out one. Columbia pitchers limited LIU to just 1-for-9 (.111) with runners in scoring position.
 
Senior Sommer Grzybek led the way offensively for the Lions, going 2-for-4 in the ballgame.
 
The Lions were trailing 3-0 in the sixth inning when they first put run on the board. Junior Max Ortega reached on an error to start off the inning before coming around to score on two more LIU blunders. Columbia had a chance to tie or take the lead but left the bases loaded.
 
A pair of two-out singles gave the Lions hope in the bottom of the seventh. Both Ortega and Grzybek singled to right to bring Abby Stuart to bat representing the tying run. The sophomore hit an 0-1 pitch to right but it was caught to end the ball game.
 
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COLUMBIA SOFTBALL ON SOCIAL MEDIA
For the latest on the Columbia softball program, follow @CULionsSoftball on Twitter and Instagram, on Facebook at Facebook.com/CULionsSoftball. You can view all the latest with the Lions on the web at GoColumbiaLions.com/Softball.