BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Columbia softball team was swept in its season-opening doubleheader against Boston College and Florida Gulf Coast on Friday at FAU Softball Stadium. Columbia came up short in a 2-0 loss to Boston College in the first game before falling to FGCU in six innings, 11-1.
 
GAME 1 – VS. BOSTON COLLEGE
Columbia and Boston College battled through two and a half scoreless frames before the Eagles struck for two runs in the bottom of the third inning. No other runs were scored in the game as Boston College held on for the win.
 
First-year Payton Shimansky earned her first collegiate hit in her first career start against Boston College. Shimansky lined a two-out single that bounced off the left field wall, but was thrown out as she tried to take second base.
 
Eleni Katsivalis also registered a hit in the game with a single to the shortstop in the top of the third inning. Katsivalis advanced to second on a passed ball, but was left stranded.
 
Right-hander Raquel Reyes (0-1) was charged with the loss as she worked all 6.0 innings and allowed two runs on six hits. Reyes walked one and struck out one in her first outing of the year.
 
GAME 2 – VS. FGCU
FGCU grabbed a quick lead in the top of the first inning with an RBI single up the middle. The Lions responded with a run in the bottom of the frame, but FGCU would go on to score 10-straight runs to take an 11-1 win in six innings.
 
Jaden Hill set up the Lions with a single through the middle in the bottom of the first. Savanna Messner followed with a bunt that put two Lions on base with no outs. Cami Neal then successfully used a sacrifice bunt to push the runners over. Caroline Palys then drew a walk to load the bases.
 
With a chance to put Columbia on the scoreboard for the first time in 2024, Shimansky stepped up and used an RBI on a fielder's choice to bring Hill home for Columbia's first run of the season.
 
Hill and Messner finished the game with two hits each. The Lions stranded eight runners as FGCU stole the momentum and used a six-run fourth inning and three-run sixth inning to run away with the victory.
 
Sarah Mikami (0-1) suffered the loss for the Lions in the circle. Mikami gave up four runs on four hits. She struck out two and walked three. Lily McCord and Charlotte Laidler stepped in as relief. McCord allowed four runs on four hits, while Laidler gave up three runs on five hits.
 
ON DECK
The Lions look to bounce back Saturday with a single game against Florida Atlantic. First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m. and fans can watch live through FAUSports.TV.
 
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
Stay up to date on all things Columbia Softball by following the Lions on Twitter (@CULionsSoftball), Instagram (@culionssoftball) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaSoftball).