COLUMBUS, Ga. - Lander's rally came up just short as the Bearcats fell 8-6 to top-seeded Columbus State Sunday afternoon to conclude their 2023 season. 

Lander jumped to an early lead in the top of the first with a two-run home run by Abbie Behe. The lead was short-lived as Columbus State answered with three runs in the bottom of the inning. The Cougars added two more in the second to extend their lead to 5-2. 

With two outs in the top of the third, Behe singled to center field, and Barbara Cook belted a home run to center field to cut the deficit to one run. Columbus State again responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to make it an 8-4 game. The deficit remained by four runs until the top of the seventh. Cook's second home run followed a one-out infield single by Behe to make the score 8-6. That would be as close as the Bearcats would get, and Columbus State held on for the win. 

Cook was 2-4 with two home runs and four RBIs, while Behe was 3-4 with a home run and two runs driven in to lead the Bearcats at the plate. Kamryn Akins (4-4) took the loss allowing six earned runs on nine hits in four innings of work. 

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