The Charger softball team split their final day of the Columbia Invite, beating Stephens in their first contest 7-1 before falling 3-1 to Columbia in their second contest of the day.
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Game 1 – W, 7-1
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Grace Batcheller continues her stellar pitching early this season, allowing just one run on four hits across seven innings.
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The top of the lineup for the Chargers loaded up the bases with no outs following singles from
Karina Cupples and
Kylee Lukes.
Aubrey Chichurka hit a sac-fly to left field to drive in
Karis Gifford followed by a RBI-groundout from
Kylie Wilhelms put the Cliff up 2-0 early in the contest.
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In the top of the fourth, Lukes recorded a two-run single to put the Chargers up 4-0. The Stars scored their lone run in the next half-inning.
Rylee Cain in the next inning put the Chargers up 5-1 following her RBI-double. The Cliff added two more runs in the top of the sixth capped by an RBI-single from
Skylar Bainter.
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Wilhelms went two-for three at the plate for the Chargers while Cupples went two-for-five. Bainter and
Jessica James both went two-for-four at the plate.
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Game 2 – L, 3-1
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With two-outs in the bottom of the first, Lukes ripped a triple to put a runner in scoring position for the Chargers.
Aubrey Chichurka singled during her plate appearance to tie the game 1-1. Wilhelms recorded a double the next at-bat to put runners at second and third, but the Cliff were unable to capitalize in the opportunity.
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The Cougars in the top of the third carded two runs to take a 3-1 lead.
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Georgia Krohn came in relief in the fourth inning and allowed just one hit with a strike out.
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In the bottom of the seventh, the Cliff looked to rally after Lukes drew a two-out walk and advanced all the way to third after a series of errors by the defense. Chichurka popped out to the infield to close out the contest.
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The Chargers conclude the weekend 12-9 overall and went 4-2 during the Columbia Invite. The Cliff will open up GPAC play this coming Wednesday, as they take on the Jimmies of Jamestown.
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