NEW YORK — Yale's Willa Ferrer hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the sixth and the Bulldogs went on to defeat the Columbia softball team, 3-1, Sunday afternoon in the rubber game of a three-game set at the Columbia Softball Stadium.
 
Columbia (8-20, 5-7 Ivy) scored the opening tally in the fifth but could not generate enough offense to hang on. Starting pitcher Raquel Reyes led off the inning with a double and the Lions later scored on back-to-back wild pitches by reliever Miranda Papes. Yale's starter, Nicole Conway, reentered and got Bubba Gleaves to fly out to end the threat.
 
Reyes, who was dominant through five innings, headed to the sixth with her first lead. After the Bulldogs started off the inning with a single, Reyes matched a career-high with her sixth strikeout of the day. However, it all changed with one swing, as Ferrer tagged a 1-0 pitch over the fence in dead center to put Yale on top.
 
Yale (8-17, 6-6 Ivy) added an insurance run in the seventh to close the book on Reyes. The sophomore from Placentia, California went six-plus innings, surrendering three runs on four hits while also working around five walks.
 
Columbia's offense only came up with three hits against Conway, who took the win (5-8) while surrendering just the one run and striking out four. She retired the Lions in order in the seventh to put away the victory.
 
Reyes, Jaden Hill, Bubba Gleaves came up with the three hits against Conway. Hill reached base twice, ending the day 1-for-2 with a walk.

The Lions return home for their next game on Wednesday, stepping out of conference to host Monmouth (6-28, 1-5 MAAC). First pitch up at the Baker Athletics Complex is scheduled for 4 p.m. ET.

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.