CIU Erases Early Deficit to Top SMC, 10-5

No. 8 seed Columbia International (32-15) scored the final 10 runs of the game to erase a 5-0 deficit and defeat No. 9 seed Spartanburg Methodist (29-17), 10-5, in the opening round of the 2026 Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament.

The Pioneers struck first, building a 5-0 lead. After plating their first run in the second inning on an RBI single by Maria Sialmas, SMC added four more runs in the third. Three of those runs came on Carson McCowan's first home run of the season. All five of the Pioneers' runs scored with two outs.

The Rams responded by tying the game with a five-run fifth inning before taking the lead in the sixth, scoring five runs on five hits. A key hit in the inning was a three-run home run by Kami Meekins for CIU.

Columbia International closed out the game with a 1-2-3 seventh inning to secure the come-from-behind victory.

Maddie Handy recorded two of SMC's seven hits, while McCowan drove in three runs in the loss.

Next up, the Pioneers will face an elimination game on Tuesday at 11 a.m.