COLUMBIA, S.C. - CIU softball improved to .500 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play after a Saturday afternoon sweep of St. Andrews University (3-21, 0-12 AAC). The Rams (11-15, 5-7 AAC) took charge in both games, taking an early lead and never relinquishing in their 10-3 win in game one and 9-0 win in game two.
Game One: CIU 10 SAU 3: The Rams took advantage of two errors and a few pitching miscues from the Knights in the first two frames to lead 3-0. An RBI double from Dallas Mayers scored Lilli Petty to add another for CIU in the third. In the next inning, Petty tripled with bases loaded to extend the Rams' lead to 7-0 heading into the fifth inning. The Rams allowed three runs in the top of the inning to prevent the run rule but added one in the bottom of the frame and two in the bottom of the sixth to lead 10-3. Miranda Fulmer sat the Knights down in order in the top of the seventh to secure the win for CIU.
Box Score Highlights:
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Abigail Guthrie was perfect at the plate, going 4-for-4 with an RBI.
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Caydon Thompson, Petty, and Mayers all notched two hits, with Petty leading the team with three RBI.
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Isabella Davis and Fulmer allowed no hits in 3.0 IP with three strikeouts, respectively.
Game Two: CIU 9 SAU 0: Both teams went scoreless in the first, but the Rams got on the board with a leadoff triple from Mia Johnson, followed by an RBI single from Kaitlyn Elko. CIU's bats came alive in the second inning, scoring eight runs off six hits, including a two-run homer from Macey Drye and two RBI single from Hannah Murphy. The Rams went scoreless in the fourth, and Brenna Fasching recorded three straight outs for a run-rule victory.
Box Score Highlights:
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Drye and Johnson led the team with two hits.
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Stolzenbach, Drye, and Murphy led the team with two RBI.
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Raleigh Stewart recorded her third win on the mound, allowing one hit with five strikeouts in 4.0 IP.
Up Next: The Rams step out of conference play on Wednesday, March 26, to take on Claflin University at 2 and 4 p.m. EST.
