The Charger softball team went 2-0 on the opening day of the Columbia Invite, beating the Stars of Stephens college 7-4 and 10-5.
 
Game 1 – W, 7-4
 
The Stars struck first in the bottom of the first to take an early 1-0 lead. Kylie Wilhelms in a five-pitch battle, launched one over the center field wall to tie the ball game. In the top of the third, Kylee Lukes hit a two-out single to extend the inning. Aubrey Chichurka recorded a one-run double to put BCU up 2-0.
 
In the top of the fifth, the Cliff carded in four runs in the top of the fifth after giving three runs the last half-inning to take back a 6-4 lead. Rylee Cain got the scoring started after drawing a walk. Wilhelm drew a walk followed by a two-run double from Kieya Belmont capped off the scoring in the inning. In the top of the seventh a RBI-single from Karina Cupples added insurance to the lead.
 
Georgia Krohn threw a complete game, recording five strikeouts and allowed four runs. Cupples stole two bases while Cain, Karis Gifford, and Montie Richter each tallied one. Kylee Lukes went two-for-four at the plate with two runs and drew one walk.
 
Game 2 – W, 10-5
 
After a quiet first two innings, the Chargers plated four runs in the top of the third.
 
Belmont scored on a wild pitch followed by a sac-fly from Lukes drove in the game's first runs. Chichurka hit a hard groundball up the left field side to drive in Cupples. Wilhelm's RBI double capped off the scoring for the Cliff.
 
The Charger bats stayed hot the next inning, plating five runs capped by an RBI-single from WIlhelms. Lukes' earlier in the inning recorded a two-run double to ignite the offense.
 
Cupples capped the Chargers scoring in the fifth, as her sacrifice groundout plated Skylar Bainter.
 
Joliana Mancha threw a complete game on the mound, allowing just five runs and recorded one strike out. Richter swiped one bag while Wilhelms went two-for-three with two RBIs in the contest.
 
The Cliff will return to action tomorrow for a contest against Columbia at 10 a.m., and Missouri Valley at 4 p.m.
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