COLUMBIA, Mo. – Under clear skies and warm spring sunshine, the Stephens College softball team hosted cross-town rival Columbia College in an American Midwest Conference doubleheader Tuesday afternoon at American Legion Park. Despite strong early efforts, the Stars dropped both contests, 2-1 and 12-3.

Game 1: Columbia (Mo.)  2, Stephens 1

Junior Katie Dennis delivered a gritty complete game in the circle, allowing just six hits and striking out three. The Stars struck first in the bottom of the fourth when catcher Kara Krieger reached on a double and came home on Dennis' RBI single to center, giving Stephens a 1-0 lead.

Columbia responded with one run in the fifth and another in the sixth to edge ahead. The Cougars tied it with a two-out RBI single to center and later drove in the go-ahead run with a groundout to shortstop.

Down to their final three outs, Stephens threatened in the seventh after Kyndal Vincent reached on an error and Celeste Athon doubled into the left field corner. However, Columbia escaped the jam with a lineout and two strikeouts to hold on for the win.

Game 2: Columbia (Mo.) 12, Stephens 3

The Stars took another early lead; Elise Kendrick led off the second game with a walk, stole second, and scored on a fielder's choice off the bat of Jordan Watkins. Athon later stole home to make it 2-0, taking advantage of a wild Cougar defense.

After the Cougars evened the score at 2-2 in the third, Krieger tripled to lead off the bottom half and scored on a sacrificed fly from Ivy Smart, putting the Stars back in front, 3-2.

But the lead was short-lived. The Cougars hit a solo homer in the fourth to tie the game again, and they exploded for nine runs in the top of the seventh, stringing together eight hits and two errors to pull away. 

Kendrick went the distance for the Stars in game two, throwing 145 pitches while striking out three. Stephens finished the day with eight hits across both games, led by Krieger and Dennis with multi-hit efforts.

Stephens (10-16, 4-4 AMC) returns to action Friday, April 11, with another AMC doubleheader at American Legion Park. The Stars will host Mission University for First Responders Night, honoring those who serve. Any and all first-responders who show valid ID at the gate will receive free admission and a special gift. First pitch is scheduled for 2 and 4 p.m.