MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. – The Columbia softball team got Sunday started with a 4-3 win over Bucknell to mark back-to-back wins after defeating Sacred Heart on Saturday night. Sunday's doubleheader ended with a 10-1 loss to Siena.
Jaden Hill led the Lions at the plate Sunday with a .667 average. She was 4-for-6 with two runs scored. First-year
Payton Shimansky batted .400 as she was 2-for-5 at the plate with one RBI.
Eleni Katsivalis,
Caroline Palys and
Sarah Mikami were also credited with one RBI Sunday.
Bucknell Recap
Bucknell struck first with a run in the bottom of the third inning. Haley Speicher hit an RBI base hit to left field that allowed Shea Malone to score the first run of the game.
Columbia answered with two runs in the top of the fourth inning to take the lead for good. Katsivalis led off the frame with a single through the left side. She then stole second before Palys came to the plate and drove a double into right field that scored Katsivalis to tie the game.
The Lions claimed the 2-1 lead later in the inning when Shimansky hit an RBI base hit to left field that allowed Palys to score from third.
Columbia added a two-spot in the top of the fifth inning for insurance. Hill led it off with a single to left field. She advanced to third on a fielding error.
Cami Neal stepped up next and drew a walk. She then stole second to put two Lions in scoring position with no outs. Moments later, a wild pitch allowed Hill to score and Neal moved to third. Katsivalis drove Neal in with an infield RBI single to give Columbia the 4-1 lead.
Bucknell plated one run in the fifth and sixth innings in an effort to come back.
Charlotte Laidler took over on the mound in the sixth inning and was able to strand a runner in the bottom of the seventh to fend off the Bucknell comeback attempt.
Lily McCord (1-1) earned the start and earned her first collegiate win in 5.0 innings of work. She allowed three runs on six hits while tallying three strikeouts. Laidler earned the save as she worked through the final 2.0 innings.
Siena Recap
Siena used a five-run first inning to take control of the game. Madi Silber hit an RBI single to left field to score the first run. With the bases loaded, Emma Petersen stepped up and belted a grand slam to put Siena up, 5-0. Petersen hit her second home run of the game in the second inning. The two-run shot gave Siena a 7-0 lead.
Columbia got on the board in the third as a Mikami triple scored Hill. Hill got on base with a walk to start the inning.
The Saints added a three-spot in the top of the fifth inning to secure the 10-1 run-rule victory over Columbia in five innings.
Raquel Reyes (2-4) suffered the loss as she earned the start and allowed five runs on four hits. Mikami came in and tossed 4.0 innings, allowing three runs on four hits. Laidler finished the game off with 1.0 inning of work as she allowed two runs on two hits.
ON DECK
Columbia closes out its Florida trip with one more game Monday against Colgate. First pitch is set for 1:30 p.m.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
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