COLUMBIA, S.C. – The Lions used a four-run sixth inning to roar back and defeat North Carolina A&T State in the first game of the Friday doubleheader at Carolina Softball Stadium. Columbia dropped a 10-4 contest to South Carolina in the second game of the doubleheader.
 
GAME 1 VS. NORTH CAROLINA A&T STATE
 
The Aggies from North Carolina A&T State got started quick with two hits in the top of the first that brought one run home to take the early lead.
 
Columbia would answer right back with one run on two hits in the bottom of the frame to tie the game. Junior Jaden Hill hit a one-out single to left and stole second to get the inning started. Later in the inning, senior Bubba Gleaves hit an RBI single that scored Hill.
 
The Lions added another run in the second as first-year Eleni Katsivalis launched a double to left center to leadoff the inning. Sophomore Maddie Souza utilized a sacrifice bunt to move Katsivalis over to third. Sophomore Caroline Palys followed with a sacrifice fly to left that brought Katsivalis home and gave the Lions a 2-1 lead.
 
The scoring got going in the fourth inning as the Aggies put up a two-spot. North Carolina A&T State proceeded to score two more runs in the fifth and three runs in the sixth to take an 8-5 lead heading into the bottom of the sixth inning.
 
The Lions scored one run in the fourth as Gleaves got on base after being hit by a pitch. First-year Sarah Mikami lined an RBI double to center field that scored Gleaves.
 
Columbia added two more runs in the fifth on two hits. Junior Maddy Rifenberick lined a base hit up the middle to start the frame. Senior Megan Ryono reached on a muffed throw by the first baseman that also allowed Rifenberick to move to second and then third on an error. Hill fouled out to left field, which allowed Rifenberick to come home from third. Ryono then scored as junior Raquel Reyes doubled down the left field line.
 
Down by three runs heading into the bottom of the sixth, Mikamki reached on a fielding error by the third baseman to start the inning. Katsivalis followed with a base hit through the right side. Souza then singled up the middle to score Mikami and move Katsivalis to second. Rifenberick was hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs.
 
Following a mound visit, Ryono hit a two-RBI single to left that scored Souza and Katsivalis. Hill then reached on a bunt, which loaded the bases again with no outs. Reyes followe by reaching on a fielder's choice that allowed Rifenberick to score the go-ahead run to give the Lions the 9-8 lead.
 
Right-hander Mikami (1-2) earned the win with 1.0 inning of work. She allowed one run on one hit. Reyes was charged with the save as she fired 6.0 innings, allowing seven runs on nine hits. Reyes posted two strikeouts in the outing.
 
GAME 2 VS. SOUTH CAROLINA
 
Columbia jumped out to a quick 1-0 lead as the Lions brought one run across on two hits in the first inning. Ryono hit a leadoff single and moved to second as Hill drew a walk. Ryono then stole third and Hill moved to second on the throw. Sophomore Cami Neal reached on a fielder's choice that moved Hill to third as Ryono was thrown out at home plate. Gleaves then lined an RBI base hit up the middle to score Hill and give the Lions the early lead.
 
South Carolina fired back with five runs on five hits in the bottom of the second inning to take a 5-1 lead. The Gamecocks added three more runs in the fifth and two runs in the sixth fo finish off the 10-4 win.
 
The Lions put up a two-spot in the fifth inning. Ryono continued a great day at the plate with a leadoff double down the left field line. Neal then hit a two-out single through the right side to move Ryono to third. Gleaves then drew the walk to load the bases with two outs. First-year Georgia Corey singled up the middle to score Neal and Ryono.
 
Columbia would add one more run in the seventh as Reyes was walked to start the frame. Senior Kat LoVerde came in as the pinch runner and moved to second as Neal singled to left field. Gleaves followed with another base hit to load the bases. Katsivalis then reached on a fielder's choice that allowed LoVerde to score.
 
Sophomore right-hander Jordan Hill (1-3) was charged with loss in 5.0 innings of work. She allowed eight runs on 10 hits. First-year lefty Charlotte Laidler came in for one inning of work and allowed two runs on one hit.
 
UP NEXT
 
The Lions are back on the field for a 12:30 p.m. first pitch Saturday against North Carolina Wilmington. Columbia will wrap up action at the Gamecock Invitational on Sunday against Illinois.
 
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