Franklin Springs, GA – The Emmanuel Softball team hosted Columbus State University today in non-conference action. The Lions bats were hot in game one, with multiple Lions collecting hits. The Lions took game one, 10-4 but Columbus State rallied to take game two, 6-1. With the series, the Lions sit at 5-12 on the season. 
GAME ONE 

The Lions jumped out to an early lead in game one. In the bottom of the first inning, Ellee Varner was hit by a pitch to get on base. Abby Rocco reached on an error to advance Varner to third base and Jaryn Gibson grounded out to score a run, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead. Reagan Garrett reached on an error to advance Rocco to third and Gabby Buffington reached on a fielder's choice to score Rocco, making it 2-0, Lions. 

The Lions kept things going in the bottom of the 2^nd. Kelsey Lester started the at bat off with a single to shortstop. Vic Epps reached on an error to advance Lester to 2^nd and Varner singled to load the bases. Gibson singled to 1^st base to score Lester, giving the Lions a 3-0 lead and Garrett kept things going with a single to score Epps. The Lions led 4-0 after the 2^nd. 

In the top of the 3^rd, the Cougars cut into the Lions lead, scoring 2 runs on 1 hit and an error to make it 4-2, Lions. The Lions responded well with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Ciara Passmore walked the start the inning and advanced to 2^nd on an error. Passmore advanced to 3^rd on a ground out and scored on a passed ball to make it 5-2, Lions. 

In the top of the 6^th, the Cougars scored a run on a hit to cut the lead to 5-3. The Lions opened things up in the bottom half of the inning. Lester singled to center field start the inning and Aggie Bennett singled to shortstop to advance Lester to 2^nd. The runners advanced on a groundout and Varner singled to shortstop to score Lester, giving the Lions a 6-3 lead. Rocco kept things going with a single to center field to load the bases and Gibson took full advantage, lacing a double to center to score two runs giving the Lions an 8-3 lead. Garrett lined out to score Rocco, making it 9-3 and Buffington singled to score Gibson to make it 10-3, Lions. 

The Cougars scored a run on a hit in the top of the 7^th to make the final score 10-4, Lions.

At the plate, Ellee Varner, Jaryn Gibson, Gabby Buffington and Kelsey Lester each collected two hits, with Gibson leading the team with 4 RBI's. 

In the circle, Cassidy Jenkins got the start. She gave up 4 runs on 3 hits and struck out 2 batters, while walking one. 

GAME TWO – 

The Cougars jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning, scoring 3 runs on 3 hits and an error. 

The score stayed this way until the top of the 4^th when the Cougars added a run to their lead on two hits to make it 4-0. 

Columbus State added 2 runs on 3 hits in the top of the 6^th to make it 6-0. 

The Lions got on the board in the bottom of the 6^th. Ellee Varner walked to start the at bat. Abby Rocco reached on a fielder's choice that put Varner out at 2^nd. Reagan Garrett kept things going with a single to center field to score Rocco, making the final score 6-1, Columbus State. 

At the plate, Ellee Varner, Abby Rocco and Reagan Garrett collected a hit, with Garrett leading the team with an RBI. 

On the mound, Carly Forrester got the start going 7.0 innings. She gave up 6 runs (4 earned) on 11 hits and struck out a batter.

The Lions will be back in action on Saturday with their first conference series at Young Harris College at 1 & 3PM. For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.