COLUMBIA, TN – The Indians erupted for 40 runs on 33 hits, including a record-setting six home runs in the nightcap, to complete a wild sweep at Columbia State.
Game 1: Indians 16, Columbia State 2 (6 innings)
AB Marlar led the charge with three hits and four RBIs, helping the Indians secure a 16-2 run-rule victory in six innings.
A nine-run sixth inning sealed the win. Marlar doubled to left to score Lauren Brown, while Tayler Graham came home on a fielder's choice. Neely Hodum followed with a two-run double to right, plating Joryie McKnight and Taylar Shands. Laklyn Nichols added an RBI single to bring in Morgan Green, and Maddie Porter scored on a throwing error. Marlar then capped the inning with a three-run blast to left.
McKnight and Marlar each recorded three hits as the Indians totaled 13 hits in the win.
Alyssa Clifft dominated in the circle, allowing two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out 10 over six innings to earn the victory.
Game 2: Indians 24, Columbia State 15
Taylar Shands crushed three home runs and drove in four runs to lead the Indians to a thrilling 25-24 victory, completing the sweep of Columbia State.
The Indians erupted for 10 runs—all with two outs—in the top of the fourth to take a commanding 15-4 lead.
AB Marlar got things started with a two-run blast to center, followed by a solo shot from Shands and a two-run homer from Sadie Stegall. Joryie McKnight drove in Zoe Goodman, Morgan Green scored on a passed ball, and both Maddie Porter and Ella Duhon came home on an error.
Columbia State answered with three runs in the bottom half, seven in the fifth, and another in the sixth to tie the game at 15-15.
The Indians responded with a nine-run explosion in the seventh.
Shands led off with her third homer of the game. Laklyn Nichols scored on a perfectly executed sacrifice bunt by Goodman. Green doubled to plate Stegall, who later scored on a bases-loaded walk to Duhon. Marlar then ripped a bases-clearing double before Shands capped the inning with her second home run of the frame.
The Indians racked up 19 hits in the marathon win. Marlar led the way with four, while Shands and Nichols each collected three.
The team set a new program record with seven home runs in a single game, breaking the previous mark of four set against Northwest in 2022. Shands hit three, while Marlar, Stegall, and Goodman each added one.
Nichols was a force on the bases, swiping five bags.
Lauren Brown earned the win despite allowing six runs (five earned) on 10 hits over 2.1 innings.
