The Columbia Academy Cougars started out slow in Tuesday's home doubleheader, but an offensive spark late in the first game propelled them to two big wins over Bowling Green on Senior Night to lock up a No. 2 seed spot in the MAIS playoffs.
Runs were hard to come by through the first few innings of Game 1, with the first two both being scored by Hays Carley on a passed ball and a walk with the bases loaded. The Buccaneers earned two runs in the fourth to tie the game 2-2, but the stalemate would only last for a short time.
The Cougars' batting lineup erupted in the bottom of the fifth, with four doubles and three singles to run away with the lead. A single to right field by Logan Buckley brought home Chandler Carver for CA's 10th run of the inning, invoking the run rule and ending the contest with a 12-2 victory.
Holdyn Sandifer was a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with 2 RBI in the outing. Owens Simmons led the Cougars in runs production, batting 2-for-3 with 3 RBI and a run. Holton Hartzog earned the win from the mound, striking out four and allowing two runs on just one hit through 3 2/3 innings.
The CA bats remained red hot in the nightcap, allowing them to score runs in all five innings of action. The Cougars claimed the lead with a three-run first inning and never let up, adding six more in the fourth en route to yet another 12-2 win via the run rule.
Sandifer was nearly perfect again, batting 3-for-4 with two runs and 3 RBI to lead the charge. Carley was 2-for-3 with a home run, three runs and 2 RBI as Carver hit 2-for-4 with three runs and 2 RBI.
Buckley ensured the Cougars' defense was just as strong with a strong performance on the mound, striking out seven and allowing no earned runs on two hits through four innings of work.
Tuesday's wins cemented CA's spot as the No.2 seed out of District 3 for the playoffs. They'll have to wait until Friday to find out who their first-round opponent will be, as they'll take on the loser of Friday night's contest between Madison St. Joseph and Central Hinds Academy.
