Cougars go 0-4

GULF SHORES, Ala. - The Columbia College Cougars went 0-4 over the weekend in the Gulf Coast Invitational.

The Cougars started the event Friday with a 10-2 loss to Spring Hill (Ala.).

Kristin Eiken (Blair Oaks High School) had a solo home run to account for half the Cougars' runs, while Marli Hayes (Jefferson City High School) had one hit and one RBI. Whitni Howell (Jefferson City High School) chipped in with one hit.

Taylor Richter (Blair Oaks High School) started and took the loss, giving up three earned runs on six hits in three innings. She struck out three. Tiffany Urwiler (School of the Osage High School) worked the next 1 1/3 innings, allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits and one walk.

Later on Friday, Columbia lost 3-1 to William Penn. Howell had one of the team's four hits.

The Cougars followed that up Saturday with an 11-6 loss to William Carey.

Eiken rapped out two hits, while Hayes, Howell and Paige Kleffner (Blair Oaks High School) had one each.

Paxton Welch (Helias High School), the first of three pitchers for the Cougars, took the loss. She gave up seven runs (five earned) in 1 1/3 innings, allowing six hits and one walk while striking out one. Richter pitched the final 3 2/3 innings and did not allow a run or a hit while striking out two.

The Cougars wrapped up the event with a 4-3 loss to Belhaven (Miss.) on Saturday.

Howell had a single and a double for Columbia, which is now 5-6 on the season.