For the first time in program history the Columbia International University Softball team took on a team receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Poll. The Rams traveled to take on the Sand Sharks of USC Beaufort today. The Rams held a small lead in the first game, but fell 7-3 and in the second game the Rams couldn't get their bats going as they lost 11-0.

Game 1 Highlights:

• Kaylyn DeVaney got on base right away in the top of the 1st on an error by the Sand Shark third baseman, but the Rams were unable to get her around to score
• Robyn Andrews got the first hit of the game in the top of the 2nd as she singled to left field
• The Sand Sharks got on the board in the bottom of the 2nd inning on a sacrifice fly
• The bottom of the third inning saw the Sand Sharks get another run on the board to lead 2-0
• The top of fifth inning saw two straight Rams get on base first with a single by Madison Janning and then a walk by Brittney Allender. After another walk, Alyssa Allender hit a deep sacrifice fly to center advancing all runners and scoring Janning. Kayla Washington would hit a hot shot to the shortstop, but an error allowed Allender and DeVaney to score and at the end of the inning the Rams led 3-2
• The Sand Sharks got back on the board in the bottom of the 6th inning on a grand slam to take a 7-3 lead
• After a walk in the top of the 7th inning the Rams went down in order and fell 7-3 in game one

Box Score Highlights:

• The Rams had five hits in game one and forced four walks...Madison Janning led the Rams with two hits...Brittney Allender had two walks...Alyssa Allender had the Rams lone run batted in...Boyle had two hits for the Sand Sharks, while Hawkins had four runs batted in on her grand slam

Game 2 Highlights:

• DeVaney started the game off with a single to center field, but the Rams then went down in order
• In the bottom of the 1st the Sand Sharks got three runs on the board
• The Sand Sharks would get another run on the board in the bottom of the 2nd
• Over the final innings the Sand Sharks would score seven more runs to win 11-0

Box Score Highlights:

• Kaylyn DeVaney led the Rams with two hits, while Kayla Washington had a hit and a walk...Boyle led the Sand Sharks with three runs batted in...Eight different Sand Sharks had a hit

Coaches Quote: "Game 1 was a really fun battle. I am very proud of how we came out with a game plan and executed it. USCB is a good ball club and they were able to push runs across when they needed to, but I am still really happy with the growth I saw in us. Game 2 we seemed like we got lost in recovering from the loss and couldn't figure out how to play our game. However, every day that we're out here we learn something valuable, so I'm still positive that we're going to continue to put the pieces together and find some positive momentum."

Up Next: The Rams will play their first ever home game on Tuesday at 1 and 3 pm against Piedmont International University.