It was the final day of the Eckerd Spring Invitational and after two cancelled games the day before due to rain, the Cougar clan was ready to hit the dirt. CCU came out with their first win of the season against Barry University, and then tallied up a loss against a very talented Rollins team. This gives them a record of 1-3 on the year.
 
"We faced two tough teams today that were picked to take first and second in the conference preseason polls. We knew we had to come out ready to play"- Coach Daven Bond on the day.
 
The first game started with an hour delay so that the sun could dry up the drenched dirt from the rain fiasco the day before. Despite, or because of the extra time given CCU played an outstanding game winning 9-4 over the Buccaneers.
 
At the mound was Sophomore Tana Feiner who being under a much pressured situation got the job done. She struck out six bucs, with 13 hits, and three earned runs. Feiner had more than 140 pitches playing seven innings. Barry got 13 hacks on CCU, but the blue and gold fielding was clean with only one error which prevented the Bucs from putting too many on the scoreboard.
 
The game started off with Barry University being up three runs by the third, scoring off a Cougar error, a single, and a double. Everything looked spick and span for the Bucs until a huge let down in pitching and fielding gave CCU seven runs in the fourth, five of which were unearned. Barry had five fielding errors with seven walks, four wild pitches, two hit by pitches, and one baulk. Colo. Christian offensively benefited from the Buccaneers short comings.
 
The next two runs for CCU were scored off of wild pitches, and then Barry's fifth run was scored off a single. All three runs happened in the fifth. The next two innings were quiet as CCU put up a defensive stronghold with Feiner at the helm, and won the game. Freshmen Charlotte Romero and Hannah Farmer did an outstanding job for Christian at the plate. Romero went 4-3 with one run and two RBIs. Farmer had two hits on four at bats with two runs, one walk, and one RBI.
 
"Our pitching was outstanding today. Tana and Jennie really battled. We had some timely hits and took advantage of some miscues in the first game. With such a young lineup we want to get better every day. We definitely accomplished that today." –Bond
 
The second game was much different than the former. Colorado Christian took on Rollins College who is currently ranked second in the South Region, and lost 4-1. Despite the loss, CCU played well in the field and there was not a lot of give and take between the teams.
 
It was strong Tars pitching that hindered the Cougs from scoring more. Christian had nine strike outs and three hits. Senior Kristina Billante scored CCU's first run in the fifth inning with a homer over the right field fence. Billante got the Cougar's first home run of the season and the only RBI of the game.
 
Jennie Winston pitched for the Cougs allowing five hits and four earned runs, three of which were off a home run to left field.
 
"We are learning and this Florida trip is our spring training. I am pleased with our aggressiveness offensively, but we need to sharpen up our defense. We will take advantage of the next week so we will be ready for conference play."
 
Colorado Christian Softball will be at Eckerd College on Feb 10^th for a double header against the Tritons. First pitch is at 3 PM MST.