COLUMBIA, S.C. – Columbia and North Carolina Wilmington battled for nine innings before the Seahawks used a three-run ninth inning to secure a 6-3 win on Saturday afternoon in the second day of the Gamecock Invitational.
 
The Lions took the lead early as first-year Georgia Corey launched the first home run of the season for Columbia. The solo shot over the left field wall put the Lions up 1-0.
 
Columbia put a two-spot up in the bottom of third to extend its lead. Junior Maddy Rifenberick hit a single to right field to leadoff the inning. Senior Kat LoVerde came in as the pinch runner and moved to second on a wild pitch. Sophomore Maddie Souza was then walked to put two runners on with no outs.
 
Senior Megan Ryono and Junior Jaden Hill went back-to-back with ground outs to third. LoVerde moved to third and Souza advanced to second. Junior Raquel Reyes came to the plate with two outs and lined a base hit to center that brought LoVerde and Souza home to give the Lions a 3-0 lead.
 
The Seahawks answered back later on with one run in fifth, sixth, and seventh innings to send the game to extras. UNCW scored three runs in the top of the ninth and held on to take the 6-3 win over Columbia.
 
Reyes (0-1) was charged with the loss in 3.1 innings of work. She allowed four runs on six hits. Sophomore Jordan Hill came to the circle for 5.2 innings. She allowed two runs and eight hits while striking out three.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Lions wrap up competition at the Gamecock Invitational with a Sunday matchup against Illinois. First pitch is slated for 10 a.m.
 
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
 
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