Lady Cougars Complete Sweep of UNC-Pembroke, Take Game Two 2-1
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNC Pembroke (14-14) | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 3 |
| Columbus State U. (27-7) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | X | 2 | 4 | 0 |
| @ Columbus, GA | Cougar Field | ||||||||||
| Pitching |
|---|
| Win: Kelsey Gilliam (7-3) - Columbus State U. |
| Loss: Natalie Klemann (4-4) - UNC Pembroke |
| UNC Pembroke Batting |
|---|
| 2B: Holly Berry |
| 3B: none |
| HR: Jamie Burwell |
| Columbus State U. Batting |
|---|
| 2B: Kristi Bullard |
| 3B: none |
| HR: none |
COLUMBUS– Kristi Bullard drove in a pair of runs and Kelsey Gilliam tossed a complete game seven hitter to lead the Columbus State softball team to a 2-1 win over UNC-Pembroke in game two of a doubleheader this afternoon at Cougar Field.
With the sweep of UNCP, Columbus State is now 27-7 on the season, and 7-1 in Peach Belt Conference play. The Lady Braves of UNCP fall to 14-14 on the year and 2-4 in conference action.
CSU got on the board first in game two in the home half of the second inning. Kori Waugh walked to lead off things and Morgan Staffins reached on an error, after her pop out to the infield dropped in between two UNCP infielders.
Another defensive miscue from UNCP, this one by the shortstop, allowed Kara Gordon to reach, loading the bases with no outs. Kristi Bullard would then draw a bases loaded walk to bring home Waugh, giving the Lady Cougars a 1-0 lead.
A leadoff home run from Jamie Burwell in the top of the 3rd finally got UNCP on the board, tying the game at 1.
The game would remain one all until Columbus State was finally able to push across another run in the bottom of the sixth. Gordon walked to start things and then stole second, bringing up Bullard once again.
Bullard would come through with a big hit for the Lady Cougars, doubling over the head of centerfielder Schanique Barrett bringing Gordon all the way around to put CSU up 2-1, three outs away from a sweep.
Gilliam would retire the first two batters in the 7th before Barrett singled through the right side with two outs to give the Lady Braves a runner on with two outs.
Another costly mental mistake, this one coming from Barrett who was caught in a rundown between first and second, eventually tagged out by second baseman Nina Rubio to end the game, giving CSU the hard fought 2-1 victory.
Columbus State was held to just four hits in game two. Keeley Kennedy, Casey Googe, and Kori Waugh all registered one hit in the game. Bullard was 1-for-2 at the plate and also drove in both runs for CSU.
Gilliam grabbed the win in the circle for the Lady Cougars, tossing a complete game seven hitter and allowing just one earned run. Gilliam who improved her record to 7-3 on the year, walked one and also recorded three strikeouts.
Natalie Klemann suffered the loss for UNCP and fell to 4-4 on the season. Klemann worked six innings, allowing just four hits and two runs (one earned). Klemann walked four and also registered seven strikeouts on the day.
Columbus State will have the weekend off before returning to the diamond on Tuesday March 22nd for a non-conference doubleheader against Albany State at Cougar Field. First pitch is set for 1pm.
