NEW HAVEN, CONN. – A three-run blast off the bat of first-year outfielder Eleni Katsivalis broke open the game in the top of the fifth inning Sunday afternoon as the Lions put up five runs in the fifth to help close out an 8-4 series finale victory at Yale.
 
The Columbia bats were active Sunday as the Lions used 11 hits to bring eight runs across home plate. The Lions earned their third Ivy League win of the season as the team improves to 7-13 overall and 3-3 in Ivy League action.
 
"Obviously we lost a heartbreaker on Friday in the second game," Columbia Softball Head Coach Jennifer Teague said. "I was super proud of how our pitchers responded and how our offense kept putting up runs. They were gritty today and that is what we need to see for the rest of the season."
 
Senior Megan Ryono was hit by a pitch in the top of the first to get the game started. Ryono advanced to third on back-to-back ground outs. Sophomore Cami Neal then came to the plate and hit an RBI single to the shortstop that scored Ryono to give Columbia an early 1-0 advantage.
 
The Lions and Bulldogs traded scoreless frames until Yale scored one run in the bottom of the fourth inning to tie the game, 1-1.
 
The tie game didn't last long as Columbia responded with a five-spot in the fifth to take a 6-1 lead. Junior Raquel Reyes got the inning started with a single to center field. Sophomore Maddie Souza came in as the pinch runner and advanced to second on a Jaden Hill single to left field.
 
Senior Bubba Gleaves drove in the first runs of the frame as she belted a two-RBI double to center field that scored Souza and Hill. Neal followed that up with another double that dropped in left field to put two Lions on base with one out. Katsivalis stepped up to the plate next and had her turn at extending the Columbia home run hitting streak. Katsivalis launched a three-run shot over the fence to mark her first career home run as a Lion. Her homer was the 10^th of the season for the Lions. Columbia has now hit a home run in six straight games.
 
Looking to close out the win, Columbia tacked on two more runs in the top of the seventh. Neal led the inning off with her second double of the game. Neal moved to third on a ground out. Sophomore Caroline Palys then drew a walk and stole second. First-year Sarah Mikami was then walked to load the bases with one out. Junior Maddie De Leon came in as the pinch hitter and reached base on an error by the shortstop. Neal scored on the play that left the bases loaded again with one out. A wild pitch then allowed Palys to score the second run of the inning to give the Lions an 8-4 lead.
 
Yale attempted to rally in the bottom of the seventh, but the comeback bid was thwarted quickly. The Bulldogs scored three runs on three hits, but Columbia prevailed to take the 8-4 victory.
 
Neal, Palys and Jaden Hill had multi-hit performances in Sunday's win. Neal went three-for-four at the plate with two doubles, two runs and an RBI. Palys finished the day two-for-two at the dish with a run and two stolen bases. Jaden Hill went two-for-four at the plate with a double and one run.
 
Reyes (2-4) earned the win with 6.0 innings of work. Reyes allowed just two runs on eight hits as she played a pivotal role in Sunday's win. Reyes finished the outing with two strikeouts. Sophomore right-hander Jordan Hill came in during the seventh inning and gave up two runs on two hits. She recorded two strikeouts.
 
"The Ivy League is wide open," Teague said. "The toughest teams are going to the tournament. I liked the fight of the Lions today."
 
UP NEXT
 
The Lions are back in action with a midweek matchup at Iona on Wednesday. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. in New Rochelle, New York.
 
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
 
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