Softball Falls 4-0 in NAIA Tourney Opener

Columbia, Missouri- Columbia (Mo.) College used two home runs to slip past the Brenau softball team 4-0 in the opening game of the 39th Annual NAIA Softball World Series on Monday.

After four scoreless innings of play, Columbia's designated player Avgustina Arbova homered to center field to give her team a 1-0 lead, then Karolina Arbova scored on an Olivia Denslow single to give the host Cougars a 2-0 advantage.

In the top of the sixth, the Cougars again relied on the long ball as Molly Carter homered off Brenau starter Jessica Rathje to increase the lead to 3-0.

The Cougars added an insurance run the top of the seventh as a Denslow sacrifice fly made the score 4-0.

Columbia starter Lexi Dickerson pitched a complete game shutout earn the win while Rathje threw five innings, allowing six hits and three runs in the loss.

Brenau will next play the loser of #1 seed Valley State University (N.D) and # 4 seed Madonna (Mich). University on Tuesday at 1:30 pm eastern.

For more tournament information, click here.