COLUMBIA, S.C. - CIU softball wrapped up its regular season on Saturday on Senior Day in its final series of the year, improving to 33-15 overall with a doubleheader sweep of Johnson & Wales. The Rams dominated game one 16-4 before finishing the day with an 8-0 shutout in game two, capped by a walk-off hit from Gabriella Czuczuk to seal the sweep.
Game One: CIU 16 J&W 4 (5 inn.): After allowing an unearned run in the first, the Rams responded with a seven-run inning, highlighted by RBI hits from Caydon Thompson and Sophia Noriega-Mora and a two-run triple from Carmella Korte. CIU kept the momentum going with four more runs in the second, using extra-base hits from Abigail Guthrie and Thompson, along with an RBI triple from Lilli Petty to take an 11-1 lead. Johnson & Wales answered with three runs in the third, but CIU quickly responded with two runs in the inning and added three more in the fourth to put the game away.
CIU's offense finished with 15 hits on the day, led by Guthrie's four-hit, three-RBI performance. Stewart added three hits and four runs scored, while Thompson contributed two hits and two RBIs. In the circle, Brenna Fasching earned the win, allowing four runs (three earned) over three innings. Abby Ragan closed the game in dominant fashion, tossing two scoreless innings while striking out five and allowing no hits to seal the victory.
Game Two: CIU 8 J&W 0 (5 inn.): The Rams got on the board in the first as Guthrie launched a solo home run, then added to the lead in the third when she delivered an inside-the-park homer to make it 2-0. CIU extended the advantage in the fourth, taking advantage of a defensive miscue and an RBI groundout from Noriega-Mora to push the lead to three. The game broke open in the fifth inning as the Rams plated five runs on four hits and multiple errors. Fasching started the rally with an RBI single, before Katie Rhyne and Czuczuk each delivered two-run doubles to stretch the lead to 8-0.
CIU finished with 10 hits on the day, led by Guthrie's two home runs, while Rhyne and Czuczuk each added two hits and two RBIs. In the circle, Czuczuk was dominant, tossing a one-hit shutout with seven strikeouts to secure the win.
Up Next: The Rams look ahead to the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) tournament. No. 8 CIU takes on No. 9 Spartanburg Methodist on Monday, April 27, at 11 A.M. EST in Kingsport, Tenn.
