Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 | Box Score 3 | Box Score 4 The IU Columbus softball team had two River States Conference doubleheaders last weekend as they hosted Shawnee State on Friday and traveled to Brescia University on Saturday. The Crimson Pride lost all four games, but could have won three of those four.

Friday, April 10
Game 1
It was Senior Day for the Crimson Pride, and there was a nice crowd on hand as the seniors were honored before the first game. Perhaps the emotions and/or festivities caused a bit of a letdown early, as the Bears jumped out to an early lead and never looked back. The visitors scored four runs in the first inning, two in the second, and they piled on with seven more runs in the third to lead 13-0. With pitcher Abby Deeds throwing a two-hit shutout, this game was over in five innings.

Game 2 
The Bears started the second game with a pair of runs in the top of the first on a two-run home run by Sierra Dunagan. The Crimson Pride came to life in the bottom of the first. Senior Linnea Baldner started things with a leadoff walk, and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by senior Lex Heafner. After senior Mallory Shelton walked, Emma Chism singled to score Baldner. Senior Renee Lecher singled to load the bases. Senior Olivia Bright ( who has been cleared for another year of eligibility) walked to force in Shelton. After a forceout at home, senior Carli Hosler singled in Lecher for a 3-2 lead after one inning.

Shawnee State came back to score four more in the second inning, with Dunagan smashing another homer, this time with two runners on. IU Columbus answered with two runs in the bottom half as Baldner singled and scored on Shelton's home run, making the score 6-5 in favor of the visitors. Shawnee State scored one run in the fourth and one in the fifth to up the lead to 8-5. The Crimson Pride were not done, however, as Jazlynn Stewart walked to lead off the bottom of the fifth. Lily Culp brought the crowd to their feet with a long home run to left, bringing them within one at 8-7.

Shawnee State brought ace Abby Deeds in relief, and she struck out six batters over the last three innings, giving the Bears a sweep of the doubleheader.

Saturday, April 11
Game 1
This was a classic pitchers duel. Chloe Linn was the starting pitcher for IU Columbus. She was sharp in this one, throwing a complete game and allowing only two hits. There was only one problem. Brescia's starting pitcher, Emmie Bullington, also threw a complete game allowing four hits and no runs. Isabelle Hayes hit a solo home run in the bottom of the fifth for the only run of the game, giving the Brescia Bearcats a 1-0 win.

Game 2
There was no pitchers duel in the second game. Brescia scored three runs in the bottom of the first for the early lead. The Crimson Pride came back in the second. A leadoff walk to Shelton and singles by Hosler and Mackenzie Matern loaded the bases with one out. Baldner knocked in a pair with a single. After Matern and Baldner executed a double steal, they scored on an error by the Brearcats shortstop, giving the Crimson Pride a 4-3 lead. 

Brescia regained the lead as they scored two runs in the bottom of the second. IU Columbus scored three runs in the top of the third to go back in front 7-5.  The game was quiet for a couple of innings before Brescia continued the back-and-forth theme with three runs in the fifth to reclaim the lead 8-7.

Justice Cash led off the sixth with a single for the Crimson Pride, and moved up on a bunt single by Baldner, and both runners advanced on an error by the Brescia first baseman. Heafner singled to left center, scoring both runners to put IUC back on top 9-8.

Brescia scored on a wild pitch with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to tie the game and send it into extra innings. Neither team scored in the eighth inning. Brescia finally scored in the bottom of the ninth to win both games of the doubleheader by one run.

Next on the schedule:
The Crimson Pride are on the road for a pair of doubleheaders this weekend as they play at Midway University on Friday and Kentucky Christian University on Saturday.