Big Hit Eludes Softball in Loss to Red Storm

Sunday, February 22

DeLand, Fla.

10 AM

Columbia

0-9

St. John's

12-3

St. John's (NY)

Columbia

2/22/2026 3:15:00 PM | Softball

Box Score Box Score (PDF)

Lions rally in the seventh, but come up short

DeLAND, Fla. — Despite a fast start and late push, Columbia's softball team could not overcome a pair of big innings by St. John's in a 9-7 setback in the finale of the Stetson Invitational on Sunday.
The Lions (0-9) jumped in front early and matched the Red Storm hit-for-hit for much of the afternoon, but a four-run third and a four-run sixth from St. John's (12-3) proved to be the difference.

Columbia struck first in the opening inning without the benefit of a hit. Eleni Katsivalis drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third on a throwing error before Caylene Nguyen was hit by a pitch to force in the game's first run. Sarah Mikami followed with a groundout to plate another, giving the Lions a 2-0 lead.

The Red Storm answered in the top of the second on an RBI single by Alyssa Platero, then broke through in the third. St. John's strung together four runs on four hits, highlighted by a two-run double from Ava Fierst to center that flipped the score and made it 5-2.

Columbia responded in the fourth with its most explosive inning of the day. Mikami and Alexia Ruiz opened with singles, and after a pitching change, Olivia Madkins lined an RBI single to right. Katsivalis then delivered the biggest swing of the afternoon, ripping a two-run double down the left-field line to tie the game at 5-5. The Lions capitalized on four hits in the frame to seize a 5-4 edge before St. John's evened the score later in the inning.

The Lions added another run in the fifth when Alicia Marzouca singled up the middle to score Nguyen, briefly regaining momentum at 6-5.

The lead did not last, however, as St. John's capitalized on an error, scoring four runs, three unearned, in the top of the sixth.

The Lions refused to fold in the seventh. Nguyen was hit by a pitch and later scored on Marzouca's RBI single to center. Katsivalis followed with an infield single to put the tying run aboard, but St. John's pitcher Ana Serafinko closed the door with a strikeout to end it.

Katsivalis led Columbia offensively, going 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and a walk. Marzouca added two RBIs off the bench, while Mikami and Ruiz each recorded multi-hit efforts as the Lions finished with nine hits and went 5-for-15 with runners in scoring position, but were just 4-for-10 with runners on third with less than two outs.

Lily McCord (0-3) took the loss in relief, while Serafinko (6-2) earned the win for St. John's.

Columbia returns to the South next weekend when they participate in the MUSB Invitational hosted by Mercer. The Lions begin the tournament on Friday at 12:30 p.m. against Presbyterian.

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