Cougars Power Past Knights in Opening Round

Indianapolis, Indiana – The Columbia College Cougar softball team played their first game in the NAIA Opening Round today against the #16-ranked Knights of Middle Georgia State University. Played on the campus of Marian University, the Indianapolis bracket consists of Columbia College, #16 Middle Georgia State University, Tennessee Wesleyan University, and host #9 Marian University. 

The Cougars took the early lead in the top of the first when Emily King doubled to left field for an RBI as Bailey Merritt scored. Ella Schouten got to work early as well as she didn’t allow a hit until the bottom of the sixth inning. 

Abigail Pringer put the Cougars up 3-0 in the second when she homered to left field for two RBI. The bats stayed hot as Emily King sent another home run to left field for two more RBI for the Cougars to lead 5-0 in the fifth. Columbia would hold their five-run lead to finish the game with the win, 5-0. 

Ella Schouten finished the game with a one hit shutout, picking up seven strike outs to add to her season total of 220. Emily King had three RBIs while Abigail Pringer followed with two. 

With the win, Columbia moves to 25-17 overall, while Middle Georgia State falls to 42-13. 

The Cougars advance to the winner’s bracket tomorrow to face the winner of #9 Marian University and Tennessee Wesleyan University at 10:00AM (CST).