COLUMBIA, S.C. - CIU softball swept a Thursday doubleheader against crosstown rival Columbia College, earning a 1-0 win in game one and an 8-0 victory in game two. The Rams used dominant pitching in the opener before breaking out offensively in the nightcap to complete the sweep. With the two wins, CIU improves to .500 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play while moving to 23-9 overall.

Game One: CIU 1 Columbia 0: The game remained scoreless through six innings as both teams struggled to generate offense. CIU collected hits throughout the contest but was unable to capitalize early, while the Rams' pitching staff kept Columbia limited to just two hits. The breakthrough came in the bottom of the seventh inning. Tristan Phillips reached base and later came around to score, and Lilli Petty delivered the game-winning RBI bunt to lift CIU to the 1-0 victory.

Phillips led the Rams with a hit, a walk, and a stolen base, while Hannah Murphy and Sophia Noriega-Mora each recorded two hits. Abigail Guthrie and Caydon Thompson also added hits as CIU finished with seven total. In the circle, Isabella Davis tossed five scoreless innings, allowing just one hit while working around four walks. Raleigh Stewart closed the game to earn the win, allowing one hit over the final two innings and striking out one.

Game Two: CIU 8 Columbia 0: The Rams wasted no time taking control, erupting for six runs in the opening inning. CIU capitalized on walks and timely hitting, with Carmella Korte delivering a two-RBI single and Katie Rhyne adding a two-RBI double to highlight the early surge. CIU added to its lead in the third inning, scoring two more runs. Murphy drove in a run, and Kami Meekins followed with an RBI to extend the advantage to 8-0.

In the circle, Abby Ragan was dominant, tossing a complete-game shutout while allowing just four hits and striking out five without issuing a walk. The Rams totaled five hits in the contest, with Rhyne leading the way with two hits and two RBIs. Korte also drove in two runs, while Murphy, Meekins, and Stewart each added an RBI as CIU secured the run-rule victory.

Up Next: The Rams hit the road to take on Bluefield University (Va.) on Saturday, March 28, at 1 and 3 P.M. EST.