Columbia, O’Fallon split doubleheader
Columbia used a big inning to win game one 12-6 and O’Fallon rallied to win 7-4 in the second game as the teams split a doubleheader Saturday.
The Eagles improved to 11-3 overall after the split, as the Panthers ran their record to 10-5.
Big first frame
The Eagles scored seven runs in the first inning to knock off the Panthers 12-6 in the first game.
Courtney Weilbacher and Keeler VanBreusegen each opened the game with a single, and Kalli Farmer reached on an error by the second baseman which allowed Weilbacher to come around and score.
VanBreusegen scored on a ground out and Farmer would cross the plate on Chelsy Pena’s RBI single to make it 3-0.
The Eagles would add runs on a wild pitch, a bases-loaded walk, another error by the Panthers and an RBI ground out by Britney Edwards to build a seven-run advantage before the Panthers would get to bat.
“I was real pleased with the way we hit the ball in the first inning,” said Columbia coach Rhonda Major. “I think we played pretty solid all game, overall I’m pleased with the way we played.”
Panthers rally
O’Fallon scored a run in the first inning and Columbia added two more tallies in the second to build a 9-1 advantage, before the Panthers tacked on four more runs in the bottom of the second inning to close the gap to 9-5.
Still 9-5 in the bottom of the fourth inning, O’Fallon had the bases loaded with only one out when Cassie Brown scored on a sacrifice fly to center by Barnouski to make it a three-run game. But Ginger Husky was thrown out at third base trying to advance to end the scoring threat with a double play.
Mikela Kossina came in to pitch for the Eagles in the fifth inning, as she worked three perfect innings with three strikeouts to help notch the victory for Columbia.
“I was happy that our girls came back with energy and fought hard, they didn’t sit back on their heels,” said O’Fallon coach Kelly Paproth. “We battled through it.”
Top performers
Weilbacher led the Eagles from the top of the batting order by going 3-5, which included a pair of doubles, an RBI and two runs scored. VanBreusegen was 2-4 with a double, walk and stolen base, scoring twice, Calli Wibbenmeyer drove in two runs with two hits and scored, as Pena was 2-4 with two RBIs and a run scored.
O’Fallon was led at the plate by Huskey, who went 3-4 with an RBI and two runs scored.
Brina Rujawitz started the game for Columbia and went four innings, giving up six runs on nine hits and a walk, striking one out.
“Brina did a good job of moving the ball around and Mikela came in and finished it off for us, both of them did a great job,” Major said. “O’Fallon is a good ball team and we told the girls that you have to play 21 outs and just keep hitting.
“We stuck with it and found a way to win.”
Game two
Columbia led 4-0 after two innings, but the Panthers rallied late to knock off the Eagles 7-4 in the second game of the twin bill.
O’Fallon scored two runs in the third inning and got single tallies in the fourth and fifth frames to tie the score, before plating three runs in the sixth for the come-from-behind victory.
Barnouski picked up the win for the Panthers, allowing four runs on 10 hits, striking out six.
Barnouski also led O’Fallon at the plate, going 2-3 with a double and a walk, driving in two runs.
This story was originally published April 16, 2016 at 8:31 PM with the headline "Columbia, O’Fallon split doubleheader."