COLUMBUS, GA – The Emmanuel Softball team traveled to Columbus, GA today to face Columbus State in a two-game series. The Cougars took game one 9-4, but the Lions responded well, scoring a few late runs to make game two a close one. The Lions fell 7-5 but showed toughness and grit. 

GAME ONE

After a scoreless first inning, the Cougars got on the board in the bottom of the 2^nd inning, scoring 2 runs on 3 hits to take a 2-0 lead. 

The Lions responded well in the top of the 3^rd. Kaylee Purvis started things off with a single to left and Grace Ausborn reached on a fielder's choice, with Purvis advancing to 2^nd on a throwing error. Quinn Overby reached on a fielding error, scoring Purvis to cut the Cougars lead to 2-1. With two on and one out, Ciara Passmore delivered hitting a homerun to right center to score 3 runs, giving the Lions a 4-2 lead. In the bottom of the 3^rd, the Cougars responded, scoring 4 runs on 3 hits and 2 errors to take a 6-4 lead.

The Lions got a hit from Arlie Gooden in the top of the 4^th, who singled to center, but she was stranded on base. The Cougars bats kept rolling in the bottom of the 4^th, scoring a run on a hit to take a 7-4 lead. 

The two teams stayed scoreless until the bottom of the 6^th, when the Cougars added to their lead, scoring 2 runs on 2 hits to make it 9-4 which would be the final score.

At the plate, 6 Lions collected a hit, with Ciara Passmore going yard for 3 RBIs. 

In the circle, Autumn Matherly got the start, throwing 2.0 innings and giving up 6 runs (4 earned) on 6 hits. Addison Hendrix relieved her to throw 2.0 innings, giving up a run on 2 hits and walking 2 batters. Quinn Overby closed out the game, throwing 2.0 innings and giving up 2 runs on 3 hits and a walk. She struck out 2 batters.

GAME TWO

Passmore started things off strong in game 2 with a 2-out single in the top of the 1st. After Carson Stowe walked, Ashley Fountain doubled to left field to score a run, giving the Lions a 1-0 lead. In the bottom half of the inning, the Cougars tied things up, scoring a run on 2 hits to tie things at 1-1.

After a scoreless 2^nd inning, the Cougars exploded for 5 runs on 5 hits and an error to take a 6-1 lead in the bottom of the 3^rd. 
The Lions picked up two hits in the top of the 4^th but left two baserunners on to go into the bottom of the 4^thdown 6-1. In the bottom half of the inning, the Cougars scored a run on 2 hits to take a 7-1 lead.

The Lions answered in the top of the 5^th. Passmore, Lenox Roberts, and Stowe all walked to start off the at-bat, and Roberts scored on a wild pitch to cut the Cougars' lead to 7-2. Another double by Fountain and a groundout scored 2 runs to make it 7-4. 

In the top of the 6^th, Grace Ausborn started things off with a single, advancing to 2^nd on a wild pitch. A single to right from Passmore scored a run to make it 7-5, Cougars which would be the final score.

At the plate, Ciara Passmore went 3-3 and Ashley Fountain went 2-4 with 2 RBIs and 2 doubles. 

In the circle, Reagan Beagle pitched 3.0 innings. She gave up 6 runs on 7 hits and struck out 3 batters, walking 3. Autumn Matherly threw 3.0 innings, giving up a run on 4 hits, striking out a batter and walking 2. 

Next, the Lions will host Converse University on Saturday in conference action. First pitch of the doubleheader will be at 12PM and 2PM. 

For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.