Vaughn's Two Shutouts Help Softball go 3-1 in Cola Classic

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia College softball team split their games on Day 1 of the Cola Classic Round Robin Tournament hosted by Columbia and CIU on Friday. The Koalas lost a heartbreaking 12-11 game to Kentucky Christian University in CC's first game Friday evening before dominating 9-0 to shut out Point University (Ga.) during their second game.

The Koalas then used two shutouts on Saturday to sweep their two opponents by a combined score of 13-0. CC first used freshman pitcher Nealy Lockner to shut out Ohio Christian (0-4) in game 1 on Saturday before Maddie Vaughn's 7-inning five-hit shutout defeated Alice Lloyd College (Ky.) 3-0. Vaughn walked three and struck out three in the win. Junior DH Karmen Christie drove in the two game-winning runs in the third inning on a two-run single before coming around to score on an ALC error later in the frame. Ashlynn Wolff also scored a run and knocked a base hit while drawing two walks as she reached base three times.

In the first game on Saturday, Lockner threw all five innings shutting out the Trailblazer of Ohio Christian 10-0 allowing just two hits and a walk while striking out four. Leading the offense were two-hit and two-RBI performances from junior DH Christie and freshman 1B Ashlyn Blackstone while outfielder Takeirra Bakken also drove in two runs and scored two. Wollf, Christie, and Seymour all recorded doubles in the win with Christie also scoring three runs and stealing a base.

In game two on Friday night, junior pitcher Maddie Vaughn threw a complete game shutout to get her first win of the season allowing just one hit while walking four and striking out seven in 35 degree weather under the lights Friday evening.

Junior Outfielder Takeirra Bakken led the team with four RBIs while junior outfielder Brooke Farrell drove in two on a two-run single in the third inning. Also recording RBI singles were junior DP Karmen Christie while Bakken drove in runs on a bases-loaded walk and a two run fielding error by Point.

Freshman 1B Ashlyn Blackstone recorded a sacrifice fly and RBI as well while middle infielders Ashlynn Wolff and Joni Littlejohn each recorded two hits apiece and three runs scored combining for 6 runs and 4 hits at the top of the lineup. Wolff hit a double while outfielder Lana Hampson recorded a single and scored a run as well.

In the 12-11 loss on Friday afternoon, CC got out to a 3-2 lead after three innings before a five-run inning from KCU put the Knights up 7-3. The Koalas then matched KCU by scoring five runs in the bottom of the 4th to take an 8-7 lead. However, in the 6th inning, KCU ralleid for four runs off reliever Amanda Lohrey to take an 11-8 lead before Columbia got two back in the bottom of the 6th on a Littlejohn RBI triple and Blackstone RBI single to get to within 11-10. KCU added an insurance run in the 7th while CC added one back  in the bottom half on a Littlejohn RBI single scoring Wolff but would fall short in the end.

Wolff and catcher Reagan Kelly led with doubles while Littlejohn and Blackstone each recorded three hits apiece. Littlejohn had three RBI as well while Bakken and Blackstone drove in two apiece. Wolff also scored three runs with two hits and a stolen base. Senior starting pitcher Ally Boyd tossed three innings allowing 5 hits and 6 runs walking four and striking out one. Lohrey got the loss allowing 7 hits and 5 runs while striking out two.

Wolff now has an 8-game hitting streak to begin the season and is hitting a team-best .560 with 14 hits, 8 RBI, and 14 runs scored.

Columbia is now 5-3 on the season and will next be in action on Wednesday to host Voorhees University (SC) in a 1:00 pm doubleheader.