After a lot of schedule changes the Columbia International University Softball team was back at home today. The Rams welcomed the top team in the conference, Truett-McConnell University to Columbia for a doubleheader. The Rams were looking to pull of an upset and get back on track with two close losses their last time out, while the Bears were looking to gain a bigger lead in the conference. Game one was a pitchers duel as the Rams had their chances to pull off the upset, but the Bears won 1-0 and then the Bears bats came alive in game two to win 10-0.

Game One Highlights:

• Alyssa Allender got the start for the Rams and got the Bears to go down in order in the top of the first with two fly outs to Elizabeth Allen and a strikeout
• In the bottom of the first Robyn Andrews worked a walk to begin the inning and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Kaylyn DeVaney. After a strikeout, Kayla Washington roped a ball to left, but the Bears were positioned well and got the third out
• The leadoff batter for the Bears got plunked in the head and was lifted for a pinch runner that advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt and groundout. With two outs the Bears singled to right to score the runner from third and go up 1-0
• Milena Picciano got hit by the first pitch she saw and took first base. The next two batters got out on a pop out and a strikeout, but on the second out Allen stole second. The Bears got out of the inning with another strikeout
• Allender got the Bears to go down in the order in the top of third as she was involved in all three outs with a bunt and two strikeouts
• In the bottom of the third the Rams had two quick outs before DeVaney reached first on a walk, but another strikeout got the Bears out of the inning
• The Bears went down in order in the top of the fourth as well, but in the bottom of the fourth Picciano singled to right with one out as the Rams were pressuring the Bears again, but a pop out and strikeout got the Bears out of the inning
• The fifth inning saw a single by the Bears, but nothing else as the inning flew by
• The Bears made the game interesting in the top of sixth as they started off the inning with a single and advanced the runner to third on a sacrifice bunt. The next batter would reach first on a walk and the Bears had runners on the corners with one out. However, Allender worked her way out of the jam with a pop out to third and a line out to left to keep the game at 1-0.
• DeVaney was hit by a pitch to start the inning, but two quick outs kept her at first. After a walk by Picciano the Rams had runners on first and second looking to tie the game. Unfortunately, a strikeout got the Bears out of the innings
• In the top of the seventh the Bears got two quick outs before a double to deep left-center, but a fly out to shallow center got the Rams out of the inning
• The Rams were looking to tie or win the game in the bottom of the seventh. Leslie Hicks hit a hard ground ball to third, but a great play by the Bears got the first out. Another strikeout gave the Rams just one more out to pull off the upset. Brittney Allender was not ready for the game to end yet as she singled to left-center. A beautiful play by the Bears third baseman on a line drive by Robyn Andrews gave the Bears the victory in game one

Game One Box Score Highlights:

• Alyssa Allender had a great day on the mound pitching a solid seven innings only giving up one run on four hit...Allender struck out three Bears and issued on walk...The Rams had two hits on the day with Milena Picciano and Brittney Allender each having one...Kaylyn DeVaney reached base twice on a walk and a hit by pitch...Elizabeth Allen had a stolen base...Katherine Kozlowski led the Bears with two hits, while Bethany Hyde picked up the win

Game Two Highlights:

• Alexis Holler started on the mound for the Rams and got the Bears to go down in order with a line out, ground out, and pop out
• DeVaney started the bottom of the first off strong with a double to deep center. However, three straight outs stranded her at second
• In the top of the second Holler got two quick ground outs to DeVaney who made spectacular plays, but two straight walks gave the Bears runners on first and second. Holler got herself out of the jam she created with a strikeout for the third out
• After a ground out to start the bottom of the second Leslie Hicks singled to shallow right center. Hicks would move to second on a sacrfice bunt by Madison Janning, but a pop out to third got the Bears out of the inning
• In the top of the third the Bears bats came to life as they scored four runs on five hits to take the lead
• Andrews singled to shallow center with two outs in the bottom of the third, but a hard hit ball by Allender was caught by the Bears shortstop for the third out
• The Bears would get a hit in the top of the fourth, but thats it. In the bottom of the fourth Picciano got on base by a hit by pitch and stole second during Hicks at bat. The Rams were stranded at second after two more outs
• The Bears scored three runs in the top of the fifth and the top of the sixth to lead 10-0
• In the top of the sixth the Rams started with to fly outs to center and right center. Kayla Washington and Picciano would get back-to-back singles to give the Rams a chance, but a ground out to second ended the game as the Bears won 10-0

Game Two Box Score Highlights:

• The Rams had six hits in the game with six different players recording a hit...DeVaney, Andrews, Washington, Picciano, Hicks, and Allen had the hits...Alexis Holler, Alicia Wallick,and Lana Fletcher all saw time on the mound today for the Rams...Picciano had the lone stolen base for the Rams...The Bears had three different players with two hits a piece...Karley Hobbs picked up the win for the Bears

Up Next: The Rams are right back at it tomorrow as they travel to Bluefield College for games at 1 & 3 pm.