HARDEEVILLE, SC - The CIU softball team traveled to Hardeeville, SC, to take on non-conference NAIA opponent USCB. The Rams looked to start off the 2021 season fast with two wins over the in-state rival Sand Sharks. Despite solid defense by CIU, the Rams dropped both games in a two-game series on Saturday. 

Game 1: USCB 4 CIU 1 
How It Happened: 

• CIU Sophmore pitcher Catie McGovern started on the mound for CIU. Last season, McGovern saw considerable action playing in 13 games. 
• Both teams displayed sound defense, as the game remained hitless through the bottom of the 3rd inning, with a single from Rachel Frankhouser toward 3rd base. 
• CIU's Tanaya Ellis would get the bats going for CIU in the top of the 4th, with a single to right field. Despite the offensive spark from Ellis, USCB found a way to retire the side in the top of the 4th.
• USCB bats came alive in the bottom of the 4th, as the Sand Sharks got two base hits and a walk to get the bases loaded with no outs. Sand Shark batter Jaci Coleman hit an RBI single on the ensuing at-bat, moving another batter into scoring position on 3rd. USCB Leah Stegall grounded into a double play on the ensuing at-bat; however, the Sand Sharks would advance a runner home to make the score 2-0. 
• The USCB offense came alive again in the bottom of the 5th, springing another two-run score off of a single down the left-field line. CIU entered the top of the 6th down 4-0. 
• With two outs in the top of the 6th, CIU outfielder Tanaya Ellis was up to bat. The Greer, SC native smashed a double to left field. On the following at-bat, Hannah Brooke reached on a fielding error by the USCB 2nd baseman. Tanaya Ellis used her speed to reach home for CIU's sole run of the game. 
• Despite a late rally in the 6th inning, CIU bats went cold in the top of the 7th, as the Rams would succumb to USCB by a score of 4-1. 

Game 2: USCB 2 CIU 0 
How It Happened: 

• CIU Sophomore pitcher Reagan Cox got the start on the mound for game two. Cox saw action in 2020 as a reliever, appearing in 10 games. 
• The second game saw continued defense from both squads, as both pitchers painted the corners for the opposing offenses. 
• The Sand Shark bats broke the silence in the bottom of the 4th, with an unearned score from USCB's Rachel Frankhouse. 
• The Sand Sharks tallied their second run of the day in the bottom of the 5th, with an RBI single from Locasto giving USCB a 2-0 lead. 
• CIU attempted a late rally, but solid pitching from Ally Muraskin proved too much for the Rams, as they dropped the final game to USCB 2-0. 

Key Players 

• Rams left fielder Tanaya Ellis scored CIU's lone run of the day in game one. Ellis also led the team in batting, with three hits through both games. 
• Catie McGovern struck out four batters in the first game, only allowing seven hits and four runs. 

What Coach Allen is Saying: 

"This was by far the best opening day we've had in the history of CIU softball, and I'm super proud of all the work we have put in to accomplish it. Reagan and Catie pitched tremendous games, and the defense played well behind them, which made for a fun day of softball. USCB has solid pitching, and I thought we had a lot of really quality at-bats against them; we just hit the ball right at their defense. I think we can all see the potential we have in this team, so we're excited to dig into the season to see what we can do!" 

Up Next: 
CIU heads to Florida to take on top 25 opponent Warner University on February 5th and Webber International University on February 6th.