COLUMBIA, S.C. - CIU softball celebrated their 2023 seniors on Friday by convincingly defeating Paine College (Ga.) in both games of their final doubleheader of the season. The Rams avenged an early season loss to Paine, shutting down the Lions 7-1 in game one, and asserted even more of their dominance in game two with the 11-1 win. The Rams finish their season at .500 at home with a 10-10 home record and an overall record of 18-24. 

GAME ONE: CIU 7 PC 1: The Rams took a 2-0 lead in the first inning due to poor fielding from the Lions and a sacrifice fly from Lauren Baker. Heaven Zamora and Baker helped to extend the advantage in the third, with each infielder collecting an RBI single. The Rams were unable to run-rule their opponent through five innings but continued to build the lead in the seventh on a sacrifice fly from Hannah Murphy and a two-RBI single from Margaret Schubert. Catie McGovern would compete for seven innings in the circle to close out the game as CIU dismantled Paine 7-1. 

Box Score Notes 

• Macey Drye, Haylee Wilkerson, and Schubert each contributed two hits to the Rams team total of ten. 
• McGovern recorded four strikeouts without allowing an earned run in seven innings of work.

GAME TWO: CIU 11 PC 1: After putting up a run in the top of the first, errors would abound for the Lions in the bottom of the inning, and the Rams would capitalize. CIU capped off the first going up 3-1 on a Heaven Zamora sacrifice bunt and then extending the lead to 4-1 one as McGovern reached on an error scoring Baker. The Rams' offensive would then explode, highlighted by a two-run shot from Hallie Miller that clanged off the left field foul pole to put CIU up 7-1. An RBI double from Dixie Smith was a notable moment in the fourth as CIU ultimately run-ruled the Lions 11-1. 

Box Score Notes:

• Seven different players collected a hit as the Rams once again recorded ten hits as a team.
• Megan Stolzenbach went 3-for-4 at the plate with an RBI.
• Cissy Doolittle picked up the win in the circle after five innings of action, allowing just three hits and one earned run while notching five strikeouts. 

What Coach Sara Allen is saying: "I am really happy we were finally able to get our Senior Day celebration in. Today turned out to be super special to our seniors, and they all played important roles in us securing these two victories. Catie and Cissy each got to pitch complete game wins, and Haylee, Heaven, Lauren, Shannon, Taylor, and Margaret all had productive at-bats and contributed defensively. All-in-all, I am just very thankful for the way that this senior class has elevated this program over the last few years. Today was bittersweet in many regards, but the impact this class has made on this program continues to give us a foundation to build on."