After a challenging start to the season, the Columbia softball team secured two wins on Sunday at the MUSB Invitational II in Macon, Georgia. The Lions defeated Presbyterian 6-3 and Tennessee State 5-2, marking their third consecutive victory.
Columbia began the year with ten straight losses but managed to win three of four games during their time in Macon. Strong pitching performances from Mads Lawson and Caylene Nguyen contributed to the turnaround. The offense produced 11 runs on 18 hits across both games, with key contributions from Eleni Katsivalis, Alicia Marzouca, Savanna Messner, and Kyra Mason.
“To rebound after a very challenging week and win the last three games feels really good,” head coach Jennifer Teague said. “I’m incredibly proud of our team for staying united as different challenges were thrown at us, even off the field. When things get tough, we rely on the habits and culture we’ve built within our program to carry us through. Our pitching was much better this weekend, our defense was solid, and we had some really strong at-bats. We’re going to enjoy these wins, get home, and take a couple of days off before getting back to work.”
In the first game against Presbyterian at Sikes Field, Columbia overcame an early deficit by scoring four runs in the sixth inning. Alicia Marzouca hit her first home run of the season—a grand slam—to put Columbia ahead for good. Marzouca finished with three hits and four RBIs. Eleni Katsivalis went five-for-five at the plate and scored twice. Pitcher Mads Lawson threw a complete game, allowing five hits and striking out four.
The second game saw Columbia respond quickly after Tennessee State took an early lead. Marzouca hit her second home run of the day in the first inning to give Columbia a 3-2 advantage. In the fourth inning, Savanna Messner added a two-run homer—her first of the year—which moved her into a tie for ninth place all-time in career home runs for Columbia seniors alongside Sarah Mikami.
Caylene Nguyen pitched four innings for Columbia in game two, giving up two runs on four hits before Emmy Davis closed out with three scoreless innings for her first save.
Columbia limited Tennessee State to just four hits and did not allow any runs over the final six innings.
The Lions will have next weekend off before traveling to Texas for the Maverick Invitational hosted by UT Arlington starting March 13.
