Columbia breaks through in sixth inning to hand Bay Softball a 4-0 loss

COLUMBIA STATION, Ohio - Bay Softball was locked in a scoreless game through five innings Monday before Columbia broke through with a four-run bottom of the sixth and handed the Rockets a 4-0 loss at Columbia Park.

The decisive stretch came quickly. Lexi Miller started the rally with a single to center field, Grace Anderson followed with a triple to right, and Karlie Arcuri added a single to center. Natalie Miller later brought home another run with a sacrifice fly as Columbia turned a tight pitchers' duel into the final margin.

Bay pitcher Aleiyha Aponte kept the Rockets in the game most of the afternoon. Aponte worked six innings, allowing four runs, three earned, on six hits while striking out nine and walking three. For five innings, she matched Columbia starter Alina Jones and gave Bay a chance to break through first.

Jones proved difficult to solve. The Columbia right-hander tossed a four-hit shutout over seven innings, striking out 13 and walking five. Bay showed patience at the plate and drew five walks, with Olivia Stehlik leading the way with two. Ella Taulbee, Maeve McFarland, Aponte and Ava Bottone each recorded one hit for the Rockets.

Columbia got run-producing swings from Arcuri, Anderson, Lexi Miller and Natalie Miller, who each drove in one run. Lexi Miller finished 3-for-3 to lead Columbia at the plate, and Kenzie Shackelton added pressure on the bases with two steals.

The loss dropped Bay in a game that stayed within reach until the sixth inning, when Columbia finally cashed in its opportunities. The Rockets will look to bounce back quickly Tuesday in their next game against Brookside.