Softball scores season-high 13 runs

After a rough start to the season, the Columbia softball team (4-12) managed to win four of its last seven games during the Rebel Games in Kissimmee, Fla. as it prepares for the Ivy League portion of the schedule.

Inclement weather forced games against Lehigh and Butler to be canceled before the Lions finally took the field against Sacred Heart, where they suffered their second straight shutout in a 7-0 loss.

After additional losses to Florida A&M and Manhattan as well as two losses against Rider, the Light Blue picked up its first win of the season against Marist, defeating the Red Foxes 4-3.

Columbia’s offense scored three runs in the second inning with junior Anne Marie Skylis drawing a leadoff walk and Kayla Lechler driving her in with an RBI single. Infielder Alison Lam hit 4-5 with an RBI and right-hander Maureen O’Kane won her first start by scattering eight hits over seven innings with just two earned runs in the victory.

After a 2-3 loss to Colgate and a 1-9 loss to Maryland, the Lions won back-to-back games against St. Peter’s and Fairleigh Dickinson. Dani Pineda launched three home runs and knocked in eight runs, going 6-for-8 to defeat the Peacocks 7-2. Maggie Johnson pitched seven innings, allowing four hits with no earned runs and one strikeout.

The Lions scored a season-high 13 runs against the Knights with four players recording two or more hits in the 13-4 win. Lam drew three walks and scored three runs at the leadoff spot while Pineda continued her scorching hitting, going 4-for-5 with six RBI. Johnson and Skylis both went 2-for-4 with an RBI and three runs scored between them. O’Kane picked up her second win of the year with two earned runs on five hits along with three strikeouts.

Cleveland State defeated the Light Blue 3-4, scoring a run in the bottom of the seventh inning on the final out off of O’Kane. However, Columbia finished the tournament with a dramatic 1-0 victory over Wisconsin-Green Bay. Outfielder Christie Taylor hammered a walk-off home run off Phoenix pitcher Katie Cooney with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to seal the victory.

After 16 straight road games to start the season, Columbia finally hosts a home game this weekend at Baker Field. The Lions will face Iona in a doubleheader on Saturday, March 27 and Manhattan on Sunday, March 28.