By Cindy Fotti, Columbia Sports Information

COLUMBIA, Mo. -- The Columbia (Mo.) bats came alive today (April 16) as they swept American Midwest Conference (AMC) foe Harris-Stowe State (Mo.) \\ in Columbia.  Columbia defeated the Hornets 15-3 in five innings and 27-0 in five innings.  The wins move the Cougars to 22-16 on the season and 9-5 in conference play.

After an emotional senior day celebration for the Cougars lone senior Jordan Crisp, Columbia started game one on a rocky note, allowing three runs in the top of the first off a pair of homeruns.  However, the Cougars quickly got back on track, notching two homers of their own in the bottom of the inning.  A three-run shot by Marli Hayes and a solo hit by Morgan Bounds put the Cougars on top for good.  From then on it was all Columbia, collecting two more runs in the third and run-ruling the Hornets by scoring nine in the bottom of the fourth.  Whitni Howell's grand slam capped off the scoring for Columbia, marking Howell's first collegiate homerun. 

Senior Jordan Crisp (13-8) took the win on the mound, allowing just three hits and one walk while fanning eight of the 19 batters she faced.  Columbia logged 18 hits in the win. 

The second game became a slugfest for the Cougars, as they set a new record for most hits in a single game with 28, most RBIs in a game with 25 and tied the record for most runs scored with 27.  Alex Ridenhour and Whitni Howell also tied the record for most hits in a game with five and Ridenhour broke the record for runs in a game with five.  Jessica Hardy broke the record for most home runs in a game with three and RBIs in a single game with nine.

The Cougars put five runs on the board in the first inning, six in the second, nine in the third and seven in the fifth.  Taylor Ricther (9-6) threw the shutout, giving up five hits while striking out 10.

On the day, Alex Ridenhour went nine-for-ten with seven runs scored and three RBIs.  Hardy had six hits in nine at-bats with three homers, a double, five runs scored and 10 RBIs.  Marli Hayes also had six hits and three home runs today along with six runs scored and nine RBIs.  Howell had seven hits with six runs and eight RBIs.  

The Cougars are back in action tomorrow when they finish up the regular season against new conference member Benedictine University at Springfield.  The first pitch of the doubleheader is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Antimi Black field.