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.
Game 1 – W, 7-1
Grace Batcheller continues her stellar pitching early this season, allowing just one run on four hits across seven innings.
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.
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.
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.
Game 2 – L, 3-1
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.
The Cougars in the top of the third carded two runs to take a 3-1 lead.
Georgia Krohn came in relief in the fourth inning and allowed just one hit with a strike out.
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.
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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