NEW YORK – The Columbia softball team is ready to battle the elements this weekend when it hosts Brown for a three-game series starting Saturday afternoon. The Lions (13-13, 6-3 Ivy) look to continue their strong play in Ivy League competition.
With heavy rain predicted all weekend, Saturday's twin billing is being rescheduled to a single game at 12:35 p.m. Sunday will now be a doubleheader with game one starting at Noon and game two slated to start at 2:30 p.m. weather permitting.
This weekend's games between the Lions and Bears (19-10, 5-4 Ivy) can be watched live on ESPN+ or followed via
live stats.
Game 1 –
Live Stats |
Watch (ESPN+)
Game 2 –
Live Stats |
Watch (ESPN+)
Game 3 –
Live Stats |
Watch (ESPN+)
LAST TIME OUT
Columbia flexed its muscles clubbing eight extra base hits, including three home runs in the 10-6 win over Monmouth on the road last Wednesday. Senior
Cami Neal slugged two home runs, while
Maddie Souza smashed her third double of the season.
STAT LEADERS
The Lions offense has been potent this year. As a team, Columbia is hitting .313 with six starters hitting .300 or better.
Sarah Mikami is having a breakout year, hitting a team-leading .419 (31-for-74). Her .419 average is second in the Ivy League.
Sarah Mikami and
Cami Neal share the team lead with four home runs each. Mikami is tops on the team with 31 hits, while Neal leads the squad with 23 RBI.
In the circle, Columbia is led by first-year pitcher
Emmy Davis, who sports an ERA of 4.82 and is 5-3 overall.
Lily McCord and
Charlotte Laidler are tied for the team lead with two saves apiece.
TOUGH TO K
Senior
Maddie Souza is one the toughest players in the nation to strikeout. Souza has struck out just twice in 66 at bats. Her 33.0 strikeout per at bat ratio is second in the Ivy League and 23rd best in the nation.
TRIPLES TRIPLES TRIPLES
The Lions have slugged nine triples this season, which is second most in the Ivy League. It is the most by the Lions team since the 2019 season when Columbia slugged 14 triples. Mikami and Souza both share the team lead with three triples apiece. With her triple against Monmouth on Wednesday, Souza tied the program record with nine triples in a career. She currently shares the top spot with former Lion Kacy Krishman (2004-07).
MOVING UP THE LINE
With her two home runs last Wednesday, Neal moved into a tie for fourth all-time at Columbia. Her 18 career home runs are tied with Maggie Johnson (2008-11). Ahead of Neal on the list: Maddison Gott (2015-18) with 30. Sommer Grzybek (2017-20) with 25 and Tayor Trout (2015-18) with 24.
SCOUTING BROWN
Brown enters this weekend riding a four-game winning streak. The Bears swept a midweek twin-billing against in-state rival Rhode Island. Last weekend, Brown came back from a game 1 loss to take the series against Cornell. As a team, the Bears are hitting .258 which is seventh in the Ivy League. Laurel Moody leads the team in average (.435), hits (37), home runs (11) and RBIs (27).
In the circle, the Browns boast a staff ERA of 2.80 which is tops in the Ivy League. The 188 strikeouts the Bears have as a team are also tops in the league. Alexis Guevara leads the team in ERA (1.64), wins (9), and strikeouts (99).
THE SERIES
Saturday will be the 48th meeting between the Bears and Lions, with Columbia owning a 29-18 advantage in the series. Last year, the Bears took the rubber match in the three game tilt in Rhode Island, winning 3-2 on Sunday, April 21, 2024.
FOLLOWING THE LIONS
Stay up to date on all things Columbia Softball by following the Lions on X (@CULionsSoftball), Instagram (@culionssoftball) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaSoftball).
