GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - - UVa-Wise softball dropped its game against Columbus State University Saturday evening, 9-0, in five innings. The Cavaliers' game against Tusculum was called after three innings due to weather.
Columbus State (17-8) pushed ahead to an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first. A one-out single to the shortstop followed by a homer to center field put the Cougars ahead leaving one runner stranded heading into the bottom of the inning.
UVa-Wise (5-6) sophomore Kaylee Jones' knocked a leadoff single up the middle in the home half of the second to get on base. The Cougars struck out three consecutive batters to get out of the inning as UVa-Wise continued to trail into the second.
Neither team scored in the second frame but a three-run third inning by Columbus State extended their advantage to 5-0 over the Cavs. The Cougars put two on base on a single and walk before an RBI single scored one for Columbus State. The Cougars plated two more in the inning on a muffed throw and an RBI double to left center field.
UVa-Wise opened the home half of the third with a leadoff single to right field off the bat of junior Julia Hoy as sophomore Katie Russell entered the ball game as a pinch runner. A sacrifice bunt by junior Melissa Bartley put Russell on second with the Cavs looking to score. UVa-Wise would be unable to push a run across home plate as the Cavs continued to trail the Cougars, 5-0.
Columbus State drove home four more runs in the top of the fourth inning. The Cougars scored their sixth run on a throwing error before an RBI single plated one more. A two-RBI homer to left center field would end the Cougars scoring for the night as Columbus State went on to win 9-0 through five innings.
Junior Raychel Lapallo (1-4) suffered the loss as she scattered nine hits with three strikeouts across five innings of work. Jones and Hoy each recorded a hit in the game.
The Cougars' Corbin (6-2) picked up the win allowing two hits with eight strikeouts in a complete game effort.
Softball returns to Cavalier Field Saturday for their first home game of the season as the Cavs open Mountain East Conference play against Charleston. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
