May 3, 2024
Columbia College was edged by 5th seed Brenau University (Ga.) 10-9 in heartbreaking fashion on Thursday afternoon in the Koala's second straight elimination game in the 2024 AAC Softball Tournament.
Sophomore Outfielder Hope Azurdia led the offense again going 2 for 4 with 3 RBIs and a 2-run homer in the first inning. However, the Tigers came back with a 6-run first off senior pitcher Meghan Dennis to take command of the game. Columbia, though, would climb to within 7-6 by the 4th inning with RBI singles from seniors Aislyn Sharp and Katie Poole in the 2nd and 3rd innings and a two-run single from senior CF Mary-Catherine Sanders to close out the third.
Then, a two-run homer from outfielder Ruthie Roman would tie the game at 8 in the 5th inning. It was her 2nd of the season. Unfortunately, Brenau took the lead back in the 6th off a Koala error and would go on to hold off CC in the 7th, even as the Koalas loaded the bases with Azurdia's sac fly making it 10-9.
Senior 2B Brooklyn Franco went 3 for 3 with 2 runs while Sanders and Azurdia had two-hit games. Azurdia finished the year with 7 homers and 27 RBIs while Sanders hit at a .349 clip.
*Columbia ends their season 25-22 and with the most wins and best conference finish (T-5th) in 10 years since the 2014 team had 27 wins.