Columbia International University Athletics

COLUMBIA, S.C. - CIU split a home doubleheader with Spartanburg Methodist on Tuesday afternoon, earning a 6-0 shutout victory in game one before falling 3-0 in the nightcap. The matchup marked the first-ever meeting between the two programs, as Spartanburg Methodist competes in just its second season in the NAIA and its first year in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC). The Rams move to 29-13 overall and 12-10 in AAC play.  

Game One: CIU 6 SMC 0: The Rams wasted no time getting on the board, as Caydon Thompson launched a solo home run in the first inning to give CIU an early lead. They added another run in the second when Raleigh Stewart scored on an RBI triple from Tristan Phillips, extending the advantage to 2-0, and then Hannah Murphy came around to score on an RBI single from Carmella Korte in the third. The Rams added insurance in the fifth when Abigail Guthrie doubled and later scored on an RBI single from Lilli Petty. CIU put the game out of reach in the sixth inning as Thompson struck again, blasting a two-run home run to left center to extend the lead to 6-0.

In the circle, Isabella Davis was dominant, tossing a complete game shutout while allowing just one hit and striking out four without issuing a walk. Offensively, Thompson led the way with two home runs and three RBIs, while Stewart added two hits and scored twice. Murphy also recorded a pair of hits, and the Rams totaled 10 hits in the victory.

Game Two: SMC 3 CIU 0: Spartanburg Methodist struck early, taking advantage of a CIU error in the first inning to plate two unearned runs and grab the early lead. The visitors added another run in the fifth on an RBI triple, extending the advantage to 3-0. The Rams threatened in multiple innings, including the first and seventh, but could not find the timely hit to break through.

In the circle, Abby Ragan was solid despite the loss, striking out nine over five innings to surpass 150 career strikeouts. Stewart provided two scoreless innings of relief, striking out two and keeping Spartanburg Methodist off the board late. At the plate, Phillips, Thompson, and Guthrie each recorded two hits to lead CIU.