Lions Bring Out the Lumber on Getaway Day

Sunday, March 1

Atlanta, Ga.

8 AM

Columbia

2-10

Presbyterian

10-7

Columbia

Presbyterian

3/1/2026 1:50:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

Alicia Marzouca’s big day helps Lions sweep Sunday twin billing

MACON, Ga. – After a slow start to the season, the Columbia softball team has now won three on the bounce thanks to a Sunday sweep over Presbyterian and Tennessee State on the final day of the MUSB Invitational II hosted by Mercer.

Columbia (3-10) opened the day with a thrilling 6-3 comeback win over the Blue Hose before once again coming from behind to defeat Tennessee State 5-3 in the finale.

After starting the year 0-10, the Lions won three of four in Macon. Mads Lawson and Caylene Nguyen put together a pair of quality starts. The Lions offense, led by Eleni Katsivalis as the table setter, and Alicia Marzouca, Savanna Messner, and Kyra Mason finished with 11 runs on 18 base hits, including six for extra bases.

"To rebound after a very challenging week and win the last three games feels really good," head coach Jennifer Teague said. "I'm incredibly proud of our team for staying united as different challenges were thrown at us, even off the field. When things get tough, we rely on the habits and culture we've built within our program to carry us through. Our pitching was much better this weekend, our defense was solid, and we had some really strong at-bats. We're going to enjoy these wins, get home, and take a couple of days off before getting back to work.

GAME ONE RECAP
Columbia scored four runs in the sixth inning to pull away for a 6-3 win over Presbyterian on Sunday morning at Sikes Field.

The Lions finished with 12 hits and erased a three-run deficit behind the timely swing from Marzouca and a complete-game effort from Lawson.

Columbia struck first in the opening inning. Katsivalis singled and Tatum Hubble doubled to deep center to set up Mason's two-run double down the left-field line. Mason's third double of the season gave the Lions a 2-0 lead.

Presbyterian answered with three runs in the third, capitalizing on four hits and a Columbia error to take a 3-2 advantage.

Columbia broke through in the sixth. Katsivalis singled, and Hubble was hit by a pitch before Mason walked to load the bases with two outs. Marzouca followed with her first home run of the season, a four-run shot to center that put the Lions ahead 6-3. Marzouca finished 3-for-4 with six total bases and four RBIs, all coming with two outs.

Katsivalis led the offense with a 5-for-5 performance and scored twice. Mason added three hits, including a double and two RBIs, and stole a base. Hubble doubled and reached base three times.

Lawson (2-4) worked all seven innings, allowing three runs, two earned, on five hits with four strikeouts. She induced 11 groundouts and benefited from a first-inning double play and a clean fourth and sixth to keep the lead intact.

GAME TWO RECAP
Columbia answered an early deficit with three first-inning runs and added insurance late to defeat Tennessee State, 5-2, in the tournament finale.

The Lions totaled six hits and used two home runs to secure the victory.

Tennessee State (0-9) scored twice in the top of the first on an RBI double by Jace Jackson and a bunt single from Kailyn JeanBaptiste.

Columbia responded immediately. Katsivalis singled, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Mason drove her in with an RBI groundout to cut the deficit to 2-1. After a walk and a pitching change, Marzouca homered to right center for two runs, her second of the day, giving the Lions a 3-2 lead.

Columbia extended the margin in the fourth thanks to more loud contact. Payton Shimansky drew a leadoff walk, and Messner followed with a two-run home run to left center to make it 5-2.

The home run was Messner's first of the year and 13th of her career. She moves into a tie for ninth all-time with fellow senior Sarah Mikami.

In the circle, Caylene Nguyen (1-1) allowed two runs on four hits over four innings. She settled in after the first, retiring nine of the final 11 batters she faced. Emmy Davis earned her first save, tossing three scoreless innings without allowing a hit and working around two walks to close the game.

Columbia limited Tennessee State to four hits and turned away the Tigers in order in the seventh to seal the win.

Columbia is off next weekend. They return to action on Friday, March 13, when they travel to the Lone Star state to participate in the Maverick Invitational hosted by UT Arlington. The Lions open the tournament, taking on South Dakota State at 1 p.m. before battling tournament host UT Arlington at 3:30 p.m.

FOLLOWING THE LIONS
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