Seymour's Walk-Off Home Run Propels Koala Softball to Split with SMC

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Columbia College softball team hosted conference rival Spartanburg Methodist College on Wednesday at home and split their doubleheader with sophomore 3B Elaina Seymour's thrilling walk-off home run in game one giving the Koalas the 4-3 win. CC then fell 2-1 in a game two pitcher's duel later Wednesday from the Sutton Softball Complex.

Starting in the circle for CC in game one was senior pitcher Ally Boyd. She threw 5 innings allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 7 hits while walking none and striking out one. Sophomore reliever Madison Cheek (1-0) came on in relief to get the win throwing the final two innings scoreless and hitless with a walk and a strikeout.

Leading the offense was E. Seymour, SS Ashlynn Wolff, and 2B Joni Littlejohn as the trio of infielders all recorded extra-base hits in the win including Wolff and Littlejohn's RBI triples during the three-run sixth inning rally.

SMC led 1-0 after the third inning before RBI singles in the 6th gave them a 3-run lead. However, RBI triples from Wolff and Littlejohn and junior DH Karmen Christie's RBI single tied the game at three in the bottom half. Seymour then hit a walk-off game-winning home run to lead off the 7th inning for the Koalas. 

Pitching in game two was freshman starter Nealy Lockner (3-2) who threw all 7 innings permitting just 2 runs on 9 hits with 3 strikeouts and a walk.

Offensively, CC was led by junior outfielder Takeirra Bakken's solo home run in the 5th inning and sacrifice bunt while fellow junior outfielder Brooke Farrell also recorded a hit.

Columbia goes to 15-11 on the season and 3-7 in the conference while SMC is now 16-3 and 1-1.

The Koalas will next head west to Georgia this weekend to battle AAC foes, Truett McConnell on Saturday at 2pm and Brenau on Sunday at 1:00 pm.