Koala Softball Drops AAC Tournament Opener vs. Milligan
KINGSPORT, Tenn. - The 10th seeded Columbia College Softball team dropped their opening game 9-1 to #7 seed Milligan University (TN) at the 2026 AAC Tournament on Monday afternoon from the Brickyard Ball Fields in Kingsport, TN.
Columbia falls to 23-24 overall and will next go into the consolation bracket to take on No. 5 seed Pikeville (Ky.) on Tuesday at 2:00 pm. Milligan (21-20) advances to face #2 Reinhardt later Tuesday evening.
MU got out to a fast start in this one scoring six runs in the 2nd inning off Koala freshman starter Nealy Lockner. However, only three of those runs were earned due to two infield errors by the Koalas. Milligan scored runs via three RBI singles, a sacrifice fly, a fielder's choice and a walk. Lockner allowed three earned runs on three hits while walking three and striking out one over just 1 and 1/3 innings.
Senior pitcher Ally Boyd then came on in relief of Lockner in the second and finished out the game permitting 3 runs on 9 hits with a walk and a strikeout over the final 4 and 1/3 innings as MU scored two runs in the 6th to clinch the 8-run win.
Freshman 1B Ashlyn Blackstone drove in the lone run for the Koalas in the 5th inning on a sacrifice fly scoring freshman CF Krislyn Wilder. Sophomore 3B Elaina Seymour led CC with two hits while Wilder, junior outfielder Takeirra Bakken, and sophomore catcher Reagan Kelly each recorded singles as well. Junior DH Karmen Christie also reached base twice via walks while Bakken stole one base.