Softball takes the series finale at Yale, 8-4

NEW HAVEN, CONN. A three-run blast off the bat of the first-year outfielder Eleni Katsivalis broke the game open in the top of the fifth inning Sunday afternoon as the Lions plated five runs in the fifth to help cruise to an 8-4 series finale victory at Yale.

The Columbia bats were active on Sunday as the Lions used 11 hits to get eight runs across home plate. The Lions earned their third Ivy League win of the season as the team improved to 7-13 overall and 3-3 in Ivy League action.

“Obviously we lost a heartbreaker on Friday in the second game,” Columbia Softball head coach Jennifer Teague said. “I was very proud of how our pitchers responded and how our offense kept making runs. They were gritty today and that’s what we need to see the rest of the season.”

Senior Megan Ryono hit a pitch in the top of the first to start the game. Ryono advanced to third in consecutive fields. Second year student Cami Neal then came to the plate and hit an RBI single to shortstop that scored Ryono and gave Columbia an early 1-0 advantage.

The Lions and Bulldogs traded scoreless frames until Yale scored one run in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game 1-1.

The tie didn’t last long as Columbia responded with a fifth run in the fifth inning to take a 6-1 lead. Junior Raquel Reyes started the inning with a single to center field. Second year student Maddie Souza came in as a pinch runner and advanced to second a Jaden Hill one to the left.

Senior Bubba Gleaves drove in the first runs of the frame when he belted a two-RBI double to center field that scored Souza and Hill. Neal followed that with another double that fell into left field to put two Lions on base with one out. Katsivalis stepped up to the plate next and got his turn to continue Columbia’s home run hitting streak. Katsivalis blasted a three-run shot over the fence for his first career home run as a Lion. His home was 10^th season for the Lions. Columbia has now hit a home run in six straight games.

Columbia looked to close out the win, scoring two more runs in the top of the seventh. Neal led off the inning with his second double. Neal moved into third on the field. Second year student Caroline Palys then drew a walk and stole second. The first year Sarah Mikami then walked to load the bases with one out. Junior Maddie de Leon came in as a pinch hitter and reached base on an error by the shortstop. Neal scored on the play that left the bases loaded again with one out. A wild pitch then scored the Palys in the second run of the inning, giving the Lions an 8-4 lead.

Yale attempted a run in the bottom of the seventh, but the comeback bid quickly fell short. The Bulldogs scored three runs on three hits, but Columbia came away with an 8-4 victory.

Neal, Palys and Jaden Hill he had multiple hits in Sunday’s win. Neal went three-for-four with two doubles, two runs and an RBI. Palys finished the day two for two at the plate with a run and two stolen bases. Jaden Hill went two to four at the plate with a double and one run.

Reyes (2-4) earned the win in 6.0 innings. Reyes allowed just two runs on eight hits as he played a pivotal role in Sunday’s win. Reyes finished the round with two strikes. Sophomore right-hander Jordan Hill came in during the seventh inning and gave up two runs on two hits. He recorded two strikeouts.

“The Ivy League is open,” Teague said. “Tough teams going into the tournament. I liked how the Lions battled today.”

NEXT

The Lions are back in midweek action at Iona on Wednesday. First pitch is set for 4:00 PM in New Rochelle, New York.

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