COLUMBIA, S.C.- On Wednesday, CIU softball opened the first of two Spring Break Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) doubleheaders with a sweep of Union Commonwealth (Ky.), winning 2-0 and 12-7. The Rams relied on strong pitching in game one before erupting offensively in game two, building an 11-0 lead and holding off a late Union rally. With the wins, CIU improves to 17-5 overall and 2-2 in AAC play. 

Game One: CIU 2 Union 0: CIU broke through in the first inning when Abigail Guthrie and Tristan Phillips both crossed the plate to give the Rams a 2-0 advantage. The early cushion proved to be enough as the Rams' pitching and defense kept Union Commonwealth off the scoreboard the rest of the way.

CIU totaled four hits in the contest, with Guthrie, Hannah Murphy, Sophia Noriega-Mora, and Phillips each recording one. Phillips also added a stolen base. In the circle, Isabella Davis tossed a complete-game shutout, allowing six hits over seven innings while striking out six to earn the win. 

Game Two: CIU 12 Union 7: CIU jumped out to a strong start in game two, scoring three runs in the first on RBI hits from Abigail Guthrie, Raleigh Stewart, and Hannah Murphy. The Rams added four more runs later in the game to extend the lead to 7-0, highlighted by an RBI double from Caydon Thompson and a two-RBI single from Murphy. CIU pushed the advantage to 9-0 before adding two more in the fourth to enter the fifth inning in run-rule territory at 11-0. Union responded with five runs in the fifth and three in the sixth to cut the deficit, but an RBI single by Tristan Phillips in the sixth helped seal the Rams' conference sweep.

Phillips, Murphy, and Carmella Korte each recorded two hits, while Murphy led with three RBI. CIU also totaled four stolen bases and three extra-base hits. Abby Ragan earned the win, striking out five and allowing no hits in 4.0 innings.

Up Next: CIU closes out its Spring Break slate of games by hosting the University of Pikeville (Ky.) on Friday, March 13, at 1 and 3 p.m. EST.