COLUMBIA, S.C. - CIU softball opened NCCAA South Region Tournament play as the No. 1 seed against the No. 4 seed Paine College Lions Tuesday afternoon. The Rams looked to secure their spot in the semifinal round with a win in the tournament's opening game. After a lengthy weather delay which pushed the start time back several hours, CIU got the 3-2 victory over the Lions to advance to the next round. 

HOW IT HAPPENED:

OPENING ROUND: CIU 3 PC 2: The Lions jumped out front early, scoring two runs in the first inning. However, after Hallie Miller singled to center field to bring in two runs to tie the game in the bottom of the first inning. The Rams managed to add another run in the third inning to take a one-score lead. Cissy Doolittle and the Rams' defense allowed no runs from the first inning on, helping CIU takedown Paine 3-2 in the first contest of the day. 

BOX SCORE NOTES: 

• Kaitlynn Creel and Tanaya Ellis went 2-of-3 in the one and two holes. 
• Hallie Miller had a single and two RBI in her two at-bats.
• Cissy Doolittle delivered for the Rams in the circle with six strikeouts and allowing only two earned runs. 

What Coach Sara Allen is saying: 
"Proud of my team for the fight they played with to come out with the win. Paine played really good softball and set the stage for a fun tournament!"

Up Next: 
CIU will take on Trinity Baptist (Fla.) in the semifinal round tomorrow at 1 PM.