#19 FMU splits softball DH at CSU

Columbus, GA - Columbus State University escaped with a doubleheader split with 19th-ranked Francis Marion University in Peach Belt Conference softball action on Monday. CSU tagged the potential tying run out at the plate in the nightcap and hung on for a 6-5 win, after FMU took the opener 2-0 behind the strong pitching of junior southpaw Michaela Wolf.

CSU took a 3-1 lead into the sixth inning of game two, but the Lady Cougar defense let down starting pitcher Jennifer Isasi in the top of the sixth inning. The Lady Cougars committed two errors in the inning as FMU tied the contest at 3-3.

CSU responded right back with three runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Carrie Jones had a bunt RBI single and Heather Snell scored Jones with an RBI double off the wall in left field. Jordan Aszman, pinch-running for Snell, later scored on an errant throw to second base.

FMU made things too close for comfort in the seventh inning off CSU reliever Kristi Bullard. Ashley Jaramillo reached on a hit by pitch and went to third when Wolf reached on a two-base error by Amanda Wheeless in center field. Jessica Birchmeier scored Jaramillo with an RBI groundout to make it 6-4. Tamela Bell walked and Kayla Ruede then delivered a run-scoring single to plate Wolf and cut the CSU lead to 6-5.

Another single by Laura Hauff loaded the bases for the Patriots with only one out. Stevie Arrand then hit a shallow fly to Wheeless in center for the second out of the inning. Wheeless then threw high to home plate on the play, but Bullard backed up the play, and pinch-runner Shawn Moore, who didn't break until the throw sailed high, was tagged out easy by Bullard to end the game.

CSU scored three runs in the first inning on four hits. Brittany Leverett and Moore had RBI singles in the frame.

Bullard (10-11) got the win in relief. She gave up three hits, two runs (one earned), walked one, and struck out one. Isasi gave up six hits, three runs (one earned) in five solid innings of work.

Patriot freshman right-hander Lauren Bubeck fell to 8-4 on the season for the Patriots. She went 5.1 innings, allowed 11 hits, six runs (five earned), walked one, and struck out four.

FMU (25-12, 7-7 PBC) scored single runs in the fourth and seventh innings en route to a 2-0 shutout win in the opener. Wolf scattered seven hits as she improved 14-7 on the season.

CSU (22-23, 6-6 PBC) left runners at second and third base in the fourth, fifth, and seventh innings.

Former CSU player Tamela Bell homered in the seventh inning for the Patriots.

Bullard was the tough-luck loser for CSU, as she went seven innings, allowed six hits, two runs, walked two, and struck out five.

April Jowers went 4-for-8 with four stolen bases for CSU in the twinbill. Sarah Moore went 4-for-6 with an RBI, and Snell went 3-for-6 with two doubles in the doubleheader. CSU pounded out 11 hits in game two.

Hauff went 3-for-4 with two RBIs in game two for the Patriots.

Francis Marion hosts North Georgia College & State University on Saturday at noon for a PBC doubleheader.