MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. – The Columbia softball fell short in Friday's doubleheader against Chattanooga and Stonehill, losing both games by one run. The Lions drop to 1-6 overall this season.
Maddie Souza led the Lions Friday with three hits between both games. Souza registered a single, double and a triple on the day. She also totaled three RBI.
Caroline Palys batted .667 with two hits. Souza and
Sarah Mikami each hit .500 for the day.
Chattanooga Recap
Chattanooga scored first in the top of the second inning to take the early lead. The Lions responded with a run in the bottom of the frame to tie the game.
Maddy Rifenberick drew a walk before
Maddie Souza came to the plate and hit a triple to left center that scored Rifenberick to tie the game.
Chattanooga added two runs in the third and one in the fourth to increase its lead to 4-1. Columbia responded with two runs in the bottom of the fourth to pull back within one.
Eleni Katsivalis led the inning off with a double to left field. She advanced to third on a ground out and Rifenberick used an RBI base hit to center to score Katsivalis. Souza stepped up and doubled to right center this time to score pinch runner Palys.
The Mocs added one more run in the top of the fifth to once again increase their lead. Columbia was scoreless until the bottom of the seventh. Looking to rally back,
Sarah Mikami launched a home run over the right field wall to lead off the frame. It was the first home run of the 2024 season for the Lions.
The rally would ultimately fall short as Chattanooga used a strikeout and two groundouts to finish off the 5-4 win.
Mikami (0-2) was charged with the loss as she fired 4.0 innings. She allowed four runs on five hits while totaling three strikeouts.
Lily McCord came in and tossed 3.0 innings of relief. McCord allowed one run on two hits.
Stonehill Recap
Columbia struck first in the top of the second inning with one run. Rifenberick launched a one-out single to center.
Mandy Pelatowski came in as the pinch runner before Palys singled to right center to put two Lions on. Both runners then moved over to second and third on a passed ball. Souza again stepped up big with an RBI single that scored Pelatowski to put the Lions in front.
Raquel Reyes worked three scoreless innings before Stonehill scored two in the bottom of the fourth. The rest of the game remained scoreless as the Skyhawks held on for the 2-1 vicotry.
Reyes (1-3) suffered the loss as she worked all 6.0 innings, allowing two runs on three hits. Reyes tallied four strikeouts in the outing.
ON DECK
Columbia plays another doubleheader Saturday. The Lions will face Troy in the first game at 12:30 p.m. before capping the day off against Sacred Heart at 5:30 p.m.
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).
