COLUMBUS, Ind. – The IU Columbus softball hosted a doubleheader against the Taylor University Trojans on Friday (Feb. 28), looking for their first home win of the season. Despite some solid individual performances and a strong comeback effort in Game 2, the Crimson Pride ultimately fell short in both contests, losing 15-7 and 12-8.

Game 1: A Tough Loss for IU Columbus

The first game of the doubleheader saw Taylor put up an offensive barrage, racking up 15 runs on 12 hits. IU Columbus struggled defensively, committing three errors, and despite some bright moments, couldn't stop the offensive surge from the Trojans.

The Trojans jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the second inning, followed by a wild pitch and a three-run homer by Kaylee Larkin, which gave the Trojans a 6-run cushion. IU Columbus responded in the bottom of the second, scoring their first run when Jazlynn Stewart singled to bring home Gracie Holok. However, the Trojans' lead only expanded after that.

IU Columbus showed fight in the bottom of the fourth inning, stringing together five runs to close the gap to 7-6. Emma Chism's sacrifice fly and Olivia Bright's RBI single highlighted the rally. However, that would be as close as they would get.

Taylor answered with another big inning in the fifth, including a three-run homer by Madisyn Standridge, which made it 10-6. IU Columbus tried to rally in the sixth, with a solid RBI single by Chism, but ultimately fell when Taylor tacked on another three-run homer by Livie Lehmann, making 15-7 and ending the game early.

Game 2: A Fierce Fight, But Another Close Loss

The second game was much closer, as IU Columbus held their own for much of the contest. In this back-and-forth affair, IU Columbus came back from a 6-1 deficit to tie the game at 7-7 in the fourth inning.

Taylor struck early again, scoring three runs in the first inning. Mallory Shelton answered for the Crimson Pride, hitting a solo homer in the second to make it 6-2, and a rally in the third pulled them even closer at 7-4.

IUC mounted their best comeback in the fourth, when Izzy Johnson hit a three-run home run, scoring Taylor Hadley and Justice Cash to tie the game at 7-7. However, the momentum swung back to Taylor in the late innings.

In the sixth, Delaney Barton hit a three-run homer, regaining a 10-8 lead for Taylor. IU Columbus couldn't respond in the final innings as their offense cooled off, and a two-run shot from Livie Lehmann in the seventh sealed a 12-8 win for Taylor.

Looking Ahead

Despite the losses, the Crimson Pride showed significant improvements, particularly in their offensive efforts. With the season still early, the team will look to build on these performances and carry those positives into conference play.

The Crimson Pride are back in action on their home turf Friday (Mar. 7) and Saturday (Mar. 8), kicking off RSC play against IU Southeast and Midway University. Both days are scheduled to start at 12:00 PM.