Koalas Split on Opening Day

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Fighting Koalas took the first game of the series behind the pitching of freshman Brittany Barr.  Barr threw a complete game, giving up 3 runs on 10 hits and one walk.  All of the Koalas’ offense came with two outs in the first inning.  Brittany Koester hit a solo homerun to give Columbia a 1-0 lead.  Three batters later, Michele Miller came to the plate and delivered her first career home run.  The three run shot gave Columbia a 4-0 lead.

Columbia’s defense turned three double plays in the first game and only committed one error.  Barr worked through trouble in the 5th inning and retired all three batters faced in the 7th inning to give Columbia their first win of the season.  Columbia defeated Montreat College 4-3, who was receiving votes nationally in the NAIA coaches poll.

The Fighting Koalas stayed strong in the first three innings of the second game of the series with strong defense behind the pitching of freshman Lindsay Knipp. Montreat College came back and took a commanding 4-0 lead in the 5th inning with a 2 run homerun by Kristine Valdez. Columbia tried to rally in the bottom of the 7th earning 2 runs before Gibson grounded out to short ending the inning with 2 runs, 3 hits and 1 left on base. Columbia split their home opener  and return to play Virginia Intermont College tomorrow at Sutton Softball Field.