The Lindenwood softball team trailed for just two innings during its doubleheader versus Columbia College, but unfortunately those innings was the final inning of each game. The Cougars swept the Lady Lions on Wednesday at the Lou Brock Sports Complex by scores of 3-1 and 2-1.
Lindenwood had offensive opportunities in both games, but hit just one-for-15 with runners in scoring position. In its last at-bat of the game, Columbia was able to drive in five runners, four of them with two outs.
In the first game, the Lady Lions jumped on top in the third inning with a two-out rally.
Jacqueline Riordan singled and advanced to third on consecutive passed balls. She then scored on a triple by
Danielle Merli.
Neither team scored again and Columbia was down to its final out in the seventh with a runner on first. Back-to-back singles tied the game and a triple brought home the go-ahead and insurance runs.
Lindenwood had four hits in the game, compared to 11 for Columbia.
Heidi Schertzer took her first loss of the season after throwing a complete game for the Lady Lions.
In the second game, Lindenwood again had just four hits, but benefitted from six walks issued by the Columbia pitcher. Both team failed to score in regulation and the game went into international tiebreaker rules in the eighth.
Columbia scored its runner on two straight sacrifices, and then added a second run with a two-out single and double. Lindenwood also scored its bonus runner with two sacrifices, but could not get a two-out rally like the Cougars had done.
Chelsea Landick had two hits for Lindenwood in game two.
Katie Wessel had the lone RBI and pinch runner Riorden scored the team’s run.
Rebecca Peddicord threw a complete game, striking out four and allowing eight hits in eight innings.
Lindenwood falls to 4-6 on the season. Its schedule does not get easier as No. 17 Saint Xavier comes to town on Saturday afternoon for an 11 a.m. doubleheader.