AUGUSTA, Ga. - The CIU softball team was back on the road on Saturday for their second series in as many days. The Rams battled fellow NCCAA South Region opponent Paine College (Ga.) and would ultimately split their weekend doubleheader with the Lions. The Rams dominated game one 14-1 but slipped up in game two and fell 8-7 despite a late comeback attempt. The Rams are now 5-6 on the young season.

GAME ONE: CIU 14 PC 1: The Rams were balanced offensively with six runs through the first four innings. However, in the fifth inning, the Rams' offense exploded, scoring eight runs. The spurt was primarily comprised of base hits and several Lions' errors; however, the inning was capped off by a three-run homer from Haylee Wilkerson as CIU run-ruled the Lions 14-1.

BOX SCORE NOTES:

• Seven players recorded a hit as Wilkerson and Hallie Miller chalked up three RBIs. Lauren Baker went 2-of-3 at the plate, collecting two RBIs.
• Catie McGovern went the full five innings with three strikeouts, only giving up one hit.

GAME TWO: PC 8 CIU 7: The Rams fell behind 8-1 before beginning to battle back in the sixth inning. A Lauren Baker single notched her two RBIs to cut the lead down to 8-3. The Rams continued storming forward throughout the sixth, and a Julia Thielen single pushed Miller across the plate to bring the score to 8-7. Cissy Doolittle held the Lions scoreless in the bottom of the sixth, but the Rams came up empty in the top of the seventh to fall by one run. 

BOX SCORE NOTES: 

• The Rams totaled seven team hits, with Miller and Margaret Schubert leading the way, each going 2-of-4 at the plate. 
• The Rams saw four different players take the circle as the pitching staff combined for three K's and gave up three earned runs. 

UP NEXT: CIU opens Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play on Friday, Feb. 24, with a doubleheader versus Union College (Ky.) at 2:00 PM and 4:00 PM.