Beckley, WV – IU Columbus softball turned in one of its strongest weekends of the season, taking three out of four games in two doubleheader match-ups against WVU Tech on the road. Powered by timely hitting, solid defense, and standout pitching performances, the Crimson Pride improved to 15-25 overall and 12-16 in River States Conference play.
Game #1: WVU Tech 6, IU Columbus 1
Despite a solid effort from senior pitcher Erica Henry, the Crimson Pride couldn't overcome a late offensive push from the Golden Bears in the series opener.
IU Columbus tied the game in the second when Taylor York scored on a WVU Tech throwing error, but the home team responded with five unanswered runs across the sixth and seventh innings. Henry pitched six strong innings, allowing just one earned run before Justice Cash entered in relief. IU Columbus managed only four hits, with Olivia Bright providing the lone extra-base hit—a double.
Game #2: IU Columbus 5, WVU Tech 3
The Crimson Pride bounced back in the nightcap, sparked by aggressive baserunning and a go-ahead homer from Mallory Shelton.
IU Columbus plated two runs in the first—Izzy Johnson reached and later scored, while York stole home in a gutsy play. After WVU Tech tied the game at two, Shelton launched a solo shot in the fifth, and Gracie Holok added an RBI single to give the Crimson Pride a 4–2 lead. The final insurance run came in the sixth after an error allowed Johnson to cross the plate.
Henry went the distance in the circle, allowing 10 hits but limiting the damage with two strikeouts and two walks.
Game #3: IU Columbus 7, WVU Tech 0
In Saturday's opener, IU Columbus delivered a complete team performance, blanking WVU Tech 7–0 behind another stellar outing from Henry.
IU Columbus struck early, with Johnson driving in York in the first. A pair of runs in the fourth came via an RBI groundout from Holok and a double by Cash, who went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Carli Holser added a triple and RBI in the sixth to spark a three-run frame.
Henry tossed six shutout innings, allowing just three hits before Maddison Brittain closed the game with a scoreless seventh. The Crimson Pride defense turned a key double play and committed no errors in the win.
Game 4: IU Columbus 5, WVU Tech 3
IU Columbus capped off the weekend with a gritty 5–3 win, fueled by a five-run third inning and clutch pitching down the stretch.
After a scoreless first two innings, Izzy Johnson doubled home two runs to put the Crimson Pride on the board. Andi Burkhart followed with an RBI single, and Holser added another run-scoring hit to cap the rally. WVU Tech chipped away with a run in the third and two more on a homer in the sixth, but Henry held firm, going 6.1 innings before Cash recorded the final two outs for the save.
Johnson finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs, and Hannah Taylor went 2-for-3 with a double and a walk. IU Columbus again committed no errors, continuing a strong defensive weekend.
Looking Ahead
IU Columbus hits the road for their final two doubleheaders of RSC play, entering the week in sixth place, trying to clinch a spot in the postseason picture. With every game carrying weight—both for the Crimson Pride and their RSC rivals—each result down the stretch could shape the final tournament bracket.
Before the weekend series, IU Columbus will visit Miami Hamilton for a non-conference match-up on Tuesday (Apr. 22). First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 PM.
