COLUMBIA, S.C. - Despite taking an early lead in both games against Johnson University (Tenn.) on Thursday night, CIU softball ultimately fell in both Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) contests. CIU is now 11-19 overall and 2-12 in AAC play.
Game One: Johnson 11 CIU 7: The Rams took an early lead after scoring two runs in the first off of three free bases from the Royals. They added three more in the second after two-out RBI singles from Carmella Korte and Megan Stolzenbach. Sydnee Dial held Johnson scoreless until the fourth, where they managed to plate four runs off of six hits to trail 5-4. Both teams went scoreless in the fifth, but the Royals tacked two more in the sixth to lead 6-5. The Rams answered with two of their own, with RBI singles from Sarah Jordan and Caydon Thompson to lead 7-6 heading into the final frame. A single and a triple with bases loaded put the Royals up 11-7. CIU loaded the bases in the bottom of the seventh but could not scratch another to fall despite their 5-0 lead.
Box Score Highlights:
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Korte and Stolzenbach led the team with three hits apiece.
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Jordan and Thompson followed with two hits, while Jordan recorded two RBI.
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Brenna Fasching surrendered just five hits and two runs in 3.0 innings.
Game Two: Johnson 3 CIU 2: CIU recorded the first run in the bottom of the second off an RBI groundout from Ally Clapp. Miranda Fulmer held the Royals hitless until the fourth inning, where they scored two runs to take a 2-1 lead. Johnson added another run in the fifth, but Hannah Murphy responded with an RBI double to bring the Rams back within one before heading into the final frame. Megan Stolzenbach reached base in the bottom of the seventh, but the Rams could not push a run across the plate to force extra innings.
Box Score Highlights:
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Fulmer recorded seven strikeouts in 4.2 innings, while Dial allowed one hit in 2.1.
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Stolzenbach led the team with two hits, bringing her season total to 27.
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Clapp and Murphy recorded the only RBI of the contest.
Up Next: CIU hosts crosstown rival Columbia College (S.C.) on their home field on Tuesday, April 2, at 4 p.m. EST.