The season opener between bitter rivals Columbia and West Marion Feb. 14 didn't disappoint as Naji Cain delivered a walk-off single to lift the Wildcats to a 3-2 comeback victory at John Sapen Field. Columbia proved to be “Cardiac Cats” once again Friday as it came from behind to beat the Trojans on the road 6-3.
With the first game tied 2-2 between the rivals, Tucker Lucas led off the bottom of the seventh inning by being hit by a pitch then stole second to get into scoring position. Cain then laced a line drive to right field to plate Lucas and secure the victory for Columbia (2-1).
West Marion (1-3) struck first in the top of the fourth when Jacob Buffalo singled on a ground ball to left field to score Drake Thompson. Two batters later, Jonathan Miller legged out an infield single with the bases loaded to score Tyler Aikens and put the Trojans up 2-0.
With the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth inning, Columbia finally got on the board as Carter Smith grounded out to second base to bring home Dylan Wallace. The Wildcats tied the game moments later when Trojans reliever Trace McDonald was called for a balk, allowing Jackson Carney to score.
Columbia starter Nik Carney, who earned Newcomer of the Year honors last season, pitched to a no-decision, allowing two runs on six hits and three walks while fanning six in 3 2/3 innings. Dylan Broom earned the victory in relief with 3 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out three. Wildcats head coach Kyle Lindsey said Dylan Broom’s performance on the mound took the pressure off the offense and allowed them to focus on one at-bat at a time.
Trojans sophomore Jude Stringer was nasty on the mound in his first varsity start, striking out nine while allowing two runs on two hits and one walk across five innings. The righty paired a low 80s fastball with an impressive breaking ball that had several Columbia batters off-balance.
Miller took the loss for West Marion despite pitching to just two batters and striking out the first batter he faced. McDonald was charged with the earned run in the seventh though.
Cain, Wallace and Conner Cox each singled for the Wildcats. Miller and Stringer both had a pair of base knocks for the Trojans, while Buffalo, Aikens, Eli Street and Andrew Singley each had a single.
To start Game 2 at The Swamp Friday, Tre Broom gave the Trojans an early 1-0 lead with an RBI double to left field in the first inning to score Cole Crozier, who doubled to get on base. West Marion added two more runs in the second inning off of a walk and a hit batter to go up 3-0.
Trojans eighth-grader Kolby Stringer was terrific through three innings, shutting out Columbia while allowing just one hit and striking out five. But he was pulled after Cain reached for Columbia on an error, which opened the flood gates. With McDonald on the mound, Columbia first baseman Eli Lowery launched a three-run homer to right field to knot the game 3-3.
In the sixth inning, Columbia added three more runs to ultimately win the game with Cain bringing home a run on a groundout and Wallace and Jackson Carney delivering with RBI singles.
Collin Haney earned the win for Columbia in relief, striking out six across four shutout innings. Carter Smith then shut the door to earn the save with two scoreless innings. Lindsey said Haney’s effort was similar to Dylan Broom’s in the first game with the way he was able to shut down West Marion.
Tre Broom led the Trojans with two doubles, a single and 2 RBI, while Crozier had a pair of hits. Lowery led the Wildcats with two singles and his first dinger of the year, and Wallace had two hits and an RBI.
Across the span of the two games, Columbia got production at the dish from everywhere in the lineup, and Lindsey said he really liked how competitive everyone was in their at-bats.
“I feel like anywhere, one through nine, we can get a rally started or drive in a big run. I think we’re going to be fine offensively once we settle in and get more reps,” he said.
Lindsey said he loved the atmosphere of the series with West Marion, which seems to never disappoint.
“Any time us and West play, it’s always a high-energy, playoff-type feel, and it added a little extra. I thought our guys competed well, and their guys did well, too. It was a lot of fun,” he said. “I was proud of the way we finished both games. We were down and had to come back and both of them, and I was really proud of our effort.”
On Saturday, the Wildcats took their first loss of the season, 6-4 at Oak Forest Academy, despite outhitting the Yellowjackets 9-4. Lindsey said it was a bit of a “hangover game” after the two emotional wins over West Marion, and the Wildcats had runners on early but couldn’t bring them home. Columbia had the bases loaded with the game on the line and nearly tied the game, but a hard hit ball by Wallace didn’t make it through the infield.
Columbia returns a vast amount of experienced and talented arms with Nik Carney, Wallace, Broom, Lucas and Smith and should get a lot of production out of Haney and potentially Sam Carney as well.
“Sam filled a big gap for us on Saturday,” Lindsey said. “He’s a senior who just hasn’t had opportunities in the past. He had one on Saturday and threw really well. I’m excited to see what he can do next time out.”
Columbia played host to Taylorsville Tuesday, but results were unavailable at press time. The Wildcats will be on the road Friday at Greene County before returning home Saturday for a rematch against Oak Forest.
Meanwhile, the Trojans followed up their two-game set with Columbia with an 11-1 loss to Pearl River Central Saturday.
However, they picked up their first win of the season Monday 15-3 at Tylertown as Tre Broom launched two home runs, doubled and drove in five. Aikens singled three times and had 3 RBI, while Kollin Green also had three singles and drove in a pair. Dalton Stringer earned the win, fanning six in two innings.
The Trojans played at Lawrence County Tuesday, but results were unavailable at press time. They will begin play in the Mid-Mississippi Classic Thursday as they square off against Warren Central at Brandon High School.
Trojans head coach Derrick Jerkins could not be reached for comment.
