COLUMBUS, Ga.-The West Chester softball team (3-4) returned to action on Sunday morning against Columbus State (8-4), playing in its fifth game in three days and looking to end its stay at the Leadoff Classic with a victory over the Cougars. Strong pitching performances by both teams were the story on Sunday morning as West Chester played well and limited the Cougars to just three runs, which came in the middle innings, but those three runs were enough to allow Columbus State to pick up a narrow 3-0 victory over the visiting Golden Rams.
In the home half of the third, Columbus State scratched across the first run of the game, using a pair of hits in the inning, including an RBI single to take a 1-0 lead over the Golden Rams.
Madison Melvin (Tabernacle, N.J./Seneca) led off the fourth inning with a single to left for the Golden Rams first hit of the game as West Chester looked to answer back.
Katelyn Rittenbaugh (Donaldson, Pa./Pine Grove) followed this up with a bunt single, which after a double steal by Melvin and Rittenbaugh, gave West Chester runners on second and third with no outs. Columbus State pitcher Jessica Lopez (4-0) locked in after this, striking out the next two Golden Rams before working out of the inning on a line out to third, keeping a 1-0 lead intact for the Cougars.
Columbus State extended its lead quickly in the fourth, opening the inning with a single before a two-run home run to left off the bat of Elyse Ambrose gave the Cougars a 3-0 lead over the Golden Rams. This home run closed the book on
Antonia Browning (Newark, Del./Charter School of Wilmington) (0-2), who ended with a final line of 3.0 innings pitched with four hits, three runs, and a pair of walks.
Samantha Klug (East Norriton, Pa./Chestnut Hill Academy) entered in relief. Klug retired her first three batters in order, including a pair of strikeouts to send the game to the fifth with West Chester trailing 3-0.
Klug pitched well in her three innings of relief, striking out three without allowing a hit or walk, but West Chester was unable to complete the comeback, falling to Columbus State by a 3-0 final.
Lopez was outstanding in the circle for Columbus State on Saturday, going the distance and allowing just three hits while striking out seven to earn the victory over the Golden Rams.
The NFCA also released its All-Tournament team after play concluded on Sunday and Melvin was the lone West Chester representative on the squad, finishing the weekend with 9-for-17 (.529) at the plate with five runs scored, two RBI, two walks and four stolen bases on five attempts.
Up Next:
West Chester returns home later today and will be back in action against Jefferson next Saturday in a home doubleheader beginning at 12 p.m.
