Friday, February 20
DeLand, Fla.
Noon
Columbia
0-5
0
vs
3
St. John's
10-1
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4
5
6
7
R
H
E
Columbia
0
0
0
0
0
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6
0
St. John's NY
2
0
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0
1
0
3
7
0
Photo by: Columbia University Athletics / Stockton Photo, Inc.
Offense Comes to Life, but Softball Drops a Pair to Open Stetson Invitational
2/20/2026 6:15:00 PM | Softball
Sarah Mikami blasts 13th career home run in loss to the Hatters
DeLAND, Fla. – The Columbia softball team is still searching for its first win of the 2026 campaign after falling to St. Johns 3-0 and 10-6 to host Stetson in the nightcap of Friday's doubleheader at the Stetson Invitational.
The Lions are beginning to show signs of life, as the offense finished with 10 runs on 14 hits, including several extra-base hits. The offensive highlight of the day was the solo home run from Sarah Mikami in the top of the seventh against the Hatters. It was Mikami's first of the year and 13th of her career. She now moves into sole possession of ninth place in Columbia history.
"I thought we performed well in all facets of the game today," head coach Jennifer Teague said. "We're continuing to work toward putting together a complete performance, but there were a lot of positives. I liked our approach at the plate — we were on base much more consistently. We could have been a little sharper with timely hits, but overall, the offense showed good progress. I also saw some bright spots in the pitching circle. We're committed to the process of a long season, and I'm pleased with the strides we're making, especially with a few key players out."
GAME ONE RECAP
Columbia (0-6) was limited to six hits and couldn't capitalize on early chances in a 3-0 loss to St. John's (10-1) in the opener on Friday.
The Lions put runners on base in five innings but finished 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left nine on base. Kyra Mason led Columbia at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a double and two walks, while Eleni Katsivalis and Caylene Nguyen also collected hits.
St. John's broke through in the first inning, thanks to an RBI double and an infield single. The Red Storm began the rally with an infield single from Jess Bianco. A second infield single, this one on a bunt from London Slade, had runners at the corners with no outs. Elanna Lysiak knocked in the game's first run with an RBI double down the left field line that scored Bianco.
Two batters later, Natasha Limbani made it 2-0 when she singled to Lawson, scoring London from third.
Mads Lawson (0-3) ended the threat when she struck out Cassidy Stouger to leave the bags full. Lawson did an excellent job of limiting the damage on Friday, holding St. John's hitless with two outs and just 3-for-13 with runners on base.
The Red Storm added their final run in the fifth inning when Jess Bianco reached and later scored on a Columbia error.
Lawson went the distance, allowing three runs on seven hits with three strikeouts in the losing effort. The win went to Loreley Franciac (5-1), who tossed a six-hit complete game shutout. She walked three and struck out six in the win.
GAME TWO RECAP
Against the Hatters, Columbia finished with a season-high in hits (eight) and runs scored (six), but it wasn't enough as Stetson (9-3) rallied with big innings in the third and fourth.
The Lions jumped out to an early 2-0 lead thanks to an RBI double from Tatum Hubble and an RBI single from Payton Shimansky.
After back-to-back scoreless innings, the Hatters scored three times to take the lead for the first time. A leadoff single from Annabella McClerrren was the first hit of the afternoon for Stetson; she eventually scored on the two-run home run from Nicole Edmiaston, her seventh of the season. Logan Forman followed that up with a solo home run, her third of the year, to make it 3-2 Hatters.
The fourth inning proved to be a roller coaster for both teams. Columbia briefly retook the lead when the Lions scored three runs on two hits. The big hit was a two-run single from Olivia Madkins that plated a pair. That ended the day for Stetson starter Kennedy Temples.
With a runner in scoring position, Johnston got the Hatters out of the jam, getting a pair of groundouts.
Sporting a 5-3 lead, Lily McCord (0-2) could not get the shutdown inning the Lions desperately needed. Four straight hits without an out, the last an RBI single from Irianis Garcia, tied the game at 5-5.
Charlotte Laidler entered the game for the Lions and eventually ended the inning, but not before the Hatters scored four more times.
Late in the contest, the Lions added one more run to their total when Mikami led off the seventh with a home run down the left field line.
UP NEXT
Columbia returns to action tomorrow for two more. Game one of Saturday's doubleheader will be against St. John's first pitch for that contest is scheduled for noon. In the nightcap, the Lions will take on Stetson at 5 p.m.
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).
The Lions are beginning to show signs of life, as the offense finished with 10 runs on 14 hits, including several extra-base hits. The offensive highlight of the day was the solo home run from Sarah Mikami in the top of the seventh against the Hatters. It was Mikami's first of the year and 13th of her career. She now moves into sole possession of ninth place in Columbia history.
"I thought we performed well in all facets of the game today," head coach Jennifer Teague said. "We're continuing to work toward putting together a complete performance, but there were a lot of positives. I liked our approach at the plate — we were on base much more consistently. We could have been a little sharper with timely hits, but overall, the offense showed good progress. I also saw some bright spots in the pitching circle. We're committed to the process of a long season, and I'm pleased with the strides we're making, especially with a few key players out."
GAME ONE RECAP
Columbia (0-6) was limited to six hits and couldn't capitalize on early chances in a 3-0 loss to St. John's (10-1) in the opener on Friday.
The Lions put runners on base in five innings but finished 0-for-4 with runners in scoring position and left nine on base. Kyra Mason led Columbia at the plate, going 2-for-2 with a double and two walks, while Eleni Katsivalis and Caylene Nguyen also collected hits.
St. John's broke through in the first inning, thanks to an RBI double and an infield single. The Red Storm began the rally with an infield single from Jess Bianco. A second infield single, this one on a bunt from London Slade, had runners at the corners with no outs. Elanna Lysiak knocked in the game's first run with an RBI double down the left field line that scored Bianco.
Two batters later, Natasha Limbani made it 2-0 when she singled to Lawson, scoring London from third.
Mads Lawson (0-3) ended the threat when she struck out Cassidy Stouger to leave the bags full. Lawson did an excellent job of limiting the damage on Friday, holding St. John's hitless with two outs and just 3-for-13 with runners on base.
The Red Storm added their final run in the fifth inning when Jess Bianco reached and later scored on a Columbia error.
Lawson went the distance, allowing three runs on seven hits with three strikeouts in the losing effort. The win went to Loreley Franciac (5-1), who tossed a six-hit complete game shutout. She walked three and struck out six in the win.
GAME TWO RECAP
Against the Hatters, Columbia finished with a season-high in hits (eight) and runs scored (six), but it wasn't enough as Stetson (9-3) rallied with big innings in the third and fourth.
The Lions jumped out to an early 2-0 lead thanks to an RBI double from Tatum Hubble and an RBI single from Payton Shimansky.
After back-to-back scoreless innings, the Hatters scored three times to take the lead for the first time. A leadoff single from Annabella McClerrren was the first hit of the afternoon for Stetson; she eventually scored on the two-run home run from Nicole Edmiaston, her seventh of the season. Logan Forman followed that up with a solo home run, her third of the year, to make it 3-2 Hatters.
The fourth inning proved to be a roller coaster for both teams. Columbia briefly retook the lead when the Lions scored three runs on two hits. The big hit was a two-run single from Olivia Madkins that plated a pair. That ended the day for Stetson starter Kennedy Temples.
With a runner in scoring position, Johnston got the Hatters out of the jam, getting a pair of groundouts.
Sporting a 5-3 lead, Lily McCord (0-2) could not get the shutdown inning the Lions desperately needed. Four straight hits without an out, the last an RBI single from Irianis Garcia, tied the game at 5-5.
Charlotte Laidler entered the game for the Lions and eventually ended the inning, but not before the Hatters scored four more times.
Late in the contest, the Lions added one more run to their total when Mikami led off the seventh with a home run down the left field line.
UP NEXT
Columbia returns to action tomorrow for two more. Game one of Saturday's doubleheader will be against St. John's first pitch for that contest is scheduled for noon. In the nightcap, the Lions will take on Stetson at 5 p.m.
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).
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Francia, Loreley (5-1)
L: Lawson, Mads (0-3)
Batting:
2B: Mason, Kyra 1
Batting:
2B: Lysiak, Elanna 1
RBI: Limbani, Natasha 1 ; Lysiak, Elanna 1
SH: Slade, London 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Slade, London 1 ; Bianco, Jess 2
SB: Bianco, Jess 1
HBP: Post, Sarah 1 ; Fernandez, Gia 1
Game Leaders
AB
2
R
0
H
2
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
3
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
Players Mentioned
C/OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P/1B
/ Softball
RHP/INF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
P/UT
/ Softball
P/UT
/ Softball
C/OF
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