[Softball] Columbia Edges Lady Knights Softball

COLUMBIA, S.C. - The St. Andrews University Softball team could not come up with a win in dropping their conference doubleheader to nearby rival Columbia College (SC) on Thursday afternoon. Columbia won the first game 6-4 while winning game two 7-2.

GAME 1: COLUMBIA 6, SAU 4

Columbia got off to a 2-0 start in game one off sophomore starting pitcher, S.K. Brown (SO/Huntersville, NC).

SAU then rallied for four runs in the 4th and 5th innings to lead 4-2 after five. However, they could not hold onto their lead and gave up 4 runs in the 6th inning due to two infield errors that helped give Columbia the 6-4 lead which they held on to for the close win.

Brown ended up throwing one inning allowing 3 hits and 2 earned runs while sophomore 3B/Reliever Brennan Broadaway (SO/Oakboro, NC) then threw the final five innings allowing 5 hits, but 4 unearned runs with a walk and a strikeout.

Offensively, SAU was led by a two-RBI single from junior 1B Lexi Dawson (JR/Garland, NC), while junior 2B Nikki Santiago and RF Amanda Shaffer (JR/Sandyston, NJ) also knocked singles. Broadaway and freshman CF Cassie Fortner then led the Knights with doubles while Broadway drove in sophomore SS Ashlyn Dial (SO/Laurinburg, NC) in the 5th, who had walked.

GAME 2: COLUMBIA 7, SAU 2

SAU got out to a quick 2-0 lead in the first inning on a two-run double from Dawson, her second of the day. Broadaway began the inning with a single while Nikki Santiago (JR/Gainesville, FL) advanced her to second with a sac bunt before freshman CF Cassie Fortner (FR/Lexington, NC) doubled as well.

SAU held that lead until the third inning with the Koalas scoring three runs to retake the lead. They would then add four more runs total over the next 3 innings to put the game away while also out-hitting the Lady Knights 14-8. SAU left nine on base throughout the game as they could not quite push across the runs needed to make a comeback. Fortner led the offense with two doubles and three hits while Dawson and Broadway also recorded two hits.

Junior starting Pitcher Nancy Amos (JR/Huntersville, NC) (9-5) threw 5 and 1/3 innings in game two to get the loss as she allowed a season-high 7 runs on 13 hits with 2 walks and a strikeout while reliever Broadaway finished the final 2/3 of the 6th inning allowing a hit with a strikeout.

SAU falls to 14-14 on the season and 2-6 in the AAC while Columbia improves to 6-8 overall and 3-3 in the conference.

St. Andrews is back in action on Friday as they continue their southeastern road trip with a visit to new conference power, 11th ranked Brenau University (Ga.) in a 2:00 PM DH.