Koalas Sweep the Tigers
COLUMBIA, S.C.- Columbia College swept the Benedict College Tigers today in a 2 game series at Sutton Softball Field. Columbia coming off of a 2-2 opening weekend looked fresh with Junior Samantha Santoro on the mound striking out her first two batters. It wasn’t until the top of the 4th inning where Benedict broke open and scored 2 runs. The Fighting Koalas fell behind in the 5th inning 4-2 and struggled to put any runners on base. Still down 4-2, Columbia gained momentum in the bottom of the 7th inning with a lead off single by Sophomore Katelyn McDaniel. Freshman, Courtney Frye reached first on fielder’s choice, while McDaniel was forced out with a nice play by Benedict third basemen, Charae Rice. Frye advanced to second, on a stolen base to put the Fighting Koalas in scoring position with only 1 out. Columbia’s Kacie Davenport flied out to left bringing in Brittany Bendt and Sarah Gibson to score and send the game into extra innings with a score of 4-4.
The tigers answered back in the 8th inning scoring 1 run off of 1 hit and leaving 1 player on base. Columbia started off their at bat with a base hit by Britney Hinson bringing in Santoro from second and tying up the game 5-5 with no outs. Another bunt by Erica Rutherford gave Hinson the opportunity to score the winning run in the first game of the series with a final score 6-5.
The Fighting Koalas continued to be hot at the plate scoring 3 runs in the first 3 innings of the second game. Freshman, Brittany Barr gave the Benedict Tigers trouble at the plate until Melissa Weeks doubled to center in the top of the 5th to bring in 1 run for the Tigers. Columbia finished the game strong with great defense from the Fighting Koala infield. The Fighting Koala’s dominating the second game winning 3-1 over the Benedict College Tigers.
Columbia College is now 4-2 overall and look to play at Brevard College this Saturday and return to Sutton Softball Field on Sunday, February 20th to play SCAD.