CSU Falls Twice on Day One of West Georgia Invitational

Carrollton, Ga. -- Columbus State's softball team opened play against a pair of tough opponents in the West Georgia Invitational on Friday and came away with two losses. The Cougars, now 6-10 on the season, fell to Rollins College 2-1 and then fell to Florida Southern 5-0.

Against Rollins, Christine Roser got the Tars on the board in the bottom of the first as she launched a solo homer to left off CSU starter Kristi Bullard. The Cougars got the equalizing run in the top of the third as Brittany Leverett doubled home Branigan Wix. Wix had singled, stole second, and advanced to third on a throwing error.

Rollins got what would be the game-winner in the bottom of the inning. Krista Rodden doubled home Kristina Holland with two outs to give the Tars a 2-1 lead.

CSU left two runners on in the fourth inning after a walk and an error, and then Wix was thrown out in the fifth trying to score on a Christie Thompson single. The Cougars could not muster another scoring opportunity the rest of the way against Tars starter and winner Kirsten Frame. Frame finished with 11 strikeouts and just one run allowed on six hits and three walks.

Wix was the only CSU player with two hits.

In the nightcap, Wix collected the only hit of the game for CSU off Florida Southern's Brittany Alderman. Alderman fanned six and walked two in tossing the one-hit shutout. Brittni McCall pitched five innings and allowed three earned runs to suffer the loss.

CSU faces two more Florida opponents on Sunday, taking on Barry and Nova Southeastern in the tournament. Game times are set for 11 a.m. and 1 p.m.