COLUMBIA, Mo.- In the first round of the American Midwest Conference tournament (AMC), the Columbia College Cougars got the better of the Spartan softball team, for the 2-1 victory. In game two, Kellsie Domnitz and Missouri Baptist shutout the Cougars 5-0.

In game one, it turned into a pitching duel between Jena Trombley and Columbia starter Jordan Crisp. The Spartans struck first however, gaining a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning, thanks to an RBI from Ashley Kroener that scored Miranda Romero.

The score stayed that way until the bottom of the sixth, when the Cougars finally got on the board, tying the game up 1-1. Neither team scored in the seventh, so it was time for extra innings. In the bottom of the eighth, Columbia won the game on a wild pitch for the win. Trombley pitched very well in the outing, allowing just two runs on six hits and striking out four.

Crisp pitched relatively the same numbers, but was able to hold the Spartans to one run on seven hits. Missouri Baptist had seven hits on the afternoon, led by Romero going 2-4. The team committed three errors in the game.

The Spartans needed a victory in game two, to stay in the tournament. Kellsie Domnitz got the ball and led the team to victory with outstanding pitching. Domnitz threw a complete game, allowing just six hits and striking out one.

Missouri Baptist used a five run fourth inning, gaining plenty of breathing room on the Cougars. The team and Domnitz went on for the shutout win. The Spartans totaled three hits on the afternoon, led by Donyelle DeMarse going 1-3 with two RBI. Romero, Danielle Bayer and Corey Pitchford each added one RBI.

With the victory, the Spartans now force an all important game today against Columbia. The two teams will face off at 2:00 p.m. with the winner to face Williams Baptist College in the semi-finals.