NEW YORK – The Columbia softball team plays a split road and home schedule prior to the start of Ivy League play this weekend. The Lions open the week on the road at Manhattan on Tuesday before making their long-awaited home debut against LIU on Wednesday.

LIVE COVERAGE

Tuesday’s game between the Lions (6-12) and the Jaspers is scheduled for a 1 p.m. first pitch. Fans can follow the action on the Jasper’s Sports Network or via live stats. Wednesday’s game against Manhattan has been rescheduled from 4 p.m. to a 2 p.m. first pitch. That game will be streamed live on ESPN+ and via live stats.

Game 1 at Manhattan – Live Stats | Watch (Jasper’s Sports Network)

Game 2 vs. LIU – Live Stats | Watch (ESPN+)

​

SCOUTING MANHATTAN

The Jaspers are making their 2026 home debut on Tuesday. For the year, they are 5-15 overall and have lost two in a row. As a team, they are hitting .391 (159-for-547) and averaging 4.25 runs per game. Leading the team at the plate is Brianna Estevez, who is hitting .395. Natalye DeBus is hitting .371, while clubbing a team-high six home runs and 17 RBI. In the circle, Manhattan boasts a staff ERA of 6.39; opponents are hitting .362 against them. DeBus is also the staff ace, sporting an ERA of 4.64 and leading the team in wins (three), strikeouts (27) and complete games (three).

THE SERIES

Tuesday will be the 38th meeting between the local rivals, with Columbia owning a 20-17 advantage in the series. The Jaspers took the first-ever meeting between the two schools, winning 5-3 on April 1, 2000, in Lubbock, Texas. Columbia has won seven in a row, including a 12-5 over Manhattan at Inwood on April 16, 2025.

SCOUTING LIU

LIU is coming off a three-game series sweep over conference rival LeMoyne last weekend. Overall, the Sharks are 4-23. They are 0-5 on the road and 1-18 in neutral site games. Offensively, LIU is hitting .234 as a team, averaging 2.74 runs per game. Senior outfielder Nyae’ Villalta leads the team with a .429 average. She also leads the squad in runs (13), doubles (five), home runs (two) and stolen bases (eight). In the circle, the Sharks sport a staff ERA of 7.00; in 161.0 innings pitched, they have surrendered 175 runs, and their opponents are hitting .357 against them. Senior pitcher Gigi Clavel is the team leader with a 2-5 record and a 6.02 ERA in 54.2 innings pitched.

THE SERIES

Wednesday will be just the fourth meeting all-time between the Sharks and Lions, with LIU winning the three previous contests. LIU won the first-ever meeting between the two teams on March 27, 2019, in Brooklyn, winning 8-0 in five innings. Last time these teams met, the Sharks defeated Columbia 7-2 in Boca Raton, Fla., on Feb. 26, 2022. Columbia has never faced the Sharks at home.

​

IN THE CIRCLE

As a team, the Lions boast a staff ERA of 4.54, which is third in the Ivy League. The Lions have held opponents to a .285 batting average, the best in the league. Columbia’ s 72 strikeouts are third in the conference. Even though the Lions have the second-most games played this year, they have the fourth-fewest hits allowed, at 114.

AT THE DISH

Columbia is hitting .258 as a team, going 121-for-469. Of their 121 hits, 36 have been for extra bases. Columbia has clubbed 26 doubles, which is the second most in the conference. They are averaging 3.2 runs per game. Eleni Katsivalis and Savanna Messner lead the team, hitting .386 and .316, respectively.

CLUTCH ABs.

As a team, the Lions are hitting .246 (60-for-244) with runners on base this season. With runners in scoring position, they are hitting .218 (32-for-147). Eleni Katsivalis has been the Lions’ best hitter in these situations, hitting .429 with runners in scoring position and .350 with runners on base. Savanna Messner leads the team with a .364 average with runners on.

MOVING UP THE HOME RUN LIST

Over the weekend Savanna Messner clubbed three home runs; she now has four for the year and 16 for her career. The 16 home runs are tied for sixth all-time with Maria Pagane (2018-22). Next up is Maggie Johnson (2008-11), who is fifth all-time with 18 career home runs.

MADS HEATING UP

First-year pitcher Mads Lawson has been tremendous in the circle for the Lions this year. She leads the Ivy League in wins (4) and innings pitched (53.2). Her 49 strikeouts are 10 more than Columbia’s 2025 leader. However, over her last five starts, she is 4-1 with a 2.07 ERA. At the Maverick Invitational, she went 2-1 with a pair of complete games.

BREAKING OUT

Second baseman Alicia Marzouca was one of head coach Jennifer Teague‘s picks of players who would break out in 2026. Through 18 games, Marzouca is proving her coach right. She is hitting .250 on the year with three doubles and three home runs. Her 12 RBI lead the team.

BASES JUICED

Against South Dakota State on Sunday, the Lions loaded the bases with 2-outs  and a chance to put the game out of reach. Unfortunately, the Lions couldn’t get the clutch hit they needed. Over the weekend, the Lions were 0-for-7 with the bases loaded; on the year, they are just 3-for-25.

LAST TIME OUT

The Lions wrapped up a successful weekend in Arlington, Texas, with a 4-2 win over South Dakota State. Columbia scored all four runs in the bottom of the first inning on a 2-run double from Alicia Marzouca. One batter later, Savanna Messner went yard for the third time over the weekend. The four runs were more than enough for Mads Lawson, who went the distance for the second time at the Maverick Invitational, scattering two runs and three hits over seven innings. She did not allow a hit until a solo home run with two out in the third.

TOUGH TO “K” KATSIVALIS

Outfielder Eleni Katisvalis currently ranks as one of the toughest players in the country to strike out. Opponents have struck out Eleni once every 28.5 at-bats, which is third best in the Ivy and 57th best in the nation. In her career, she has only struck out 30 times in 370 career at-bats. She has struck out two or more times just three times in 135 games played.

​

FOLLOWING THE LIONS

Stay up to date on all things Columbia Softball by following the Lions on X (@CULionsSoftball), Instagram (@culionssoftball) and on Facebook (@ColumbiaSoftball).