Although the Cougars have lost two of their last three games, including one last week by 10 runs, there were a lot of positives to take away from the way Columbia Academy played.
The Cougars (5-8) took on the No. 6-ranked squad in the state in MAIS, Jackson Academy, March 11 at home and lost 12-2, but they managed to scatter some hits against great pitching and competed throughout.
With Pontchartrain Christian Home School visiting CA Friday, the Cougars dominated the previously unbeaten Paladins 17-0 while holding them to just one hit in a four-inning, run-rule shortened contest.
Though he struggled with his command, seventh-grader Logan Buckley dazzled on the mound with an effectively-wild approach, striking out nine in four one-hit, shutout innings. The uber-talented middle schooler also launched his second home run of the season, singled and drove in four runs. Trevor Courtney had a big game with a double and 5 RBI, and Robert Johnson double, singled and drove in a pair.
“They were 6-0 with 10 home runs going into that game,” head coach Keith Stanley said. “They’re not a bad team, and they have some good players. They just happened to run into us while we’re swinging well. They didn’t commit any errors against us; we just found a lot of hits.”
Monday in McComb, CA limited Parklane Academy to just one hit but ended up losing 5-3 thanks to five walks, four hit batters and a pair of errors. Courtney tossed five strong innings, striking out seven and allowing two earned runs. Preston Sauls was responsible for all three CA runs, ripping a bases-clearing double in the fourth inning.
Stanley said the Cougars are starting to figure it out at the plate with their last few games being a strong indicator.
“Against JA we saw some really good arms and had six hits as a team. (Monday) night against Parklane, we saw a kid who has been offered by Ole Miss and got five to six hits off him to chase him off the mound. Pontchartrain was the same way; we found some barrels against them and had 12 hits,” he said. “We’ve been really swinging at the plate, and I’m really proud of our guys’ approaches.”
The Cougars have a pair of tough non-district games to close out the week before diving back into District 4 play next week against Bowling Green. They will play host to Parklane Thursday in a rematch before heading across town to Foxworth to take on West Marion Saturday.
“We’re trying to run people off the field with our energy and our effort. That’s what we’re trying to preach. If the kids play like they did (Monday) night, I’m real confident in these next two games,” Stanley said. “They played with a whole lot of energy and effort, and it showed all seven innings.”
The second-year head coach and the Cougars players are particularly looking forward to facing the rival Trojans, who are 7-1 and ranked No. 2 in the state in Class 3A.
“That’s always a big one. Our guys have been chattering about it for two weeks. It isn’t any secret about how big of a game it is. It’s always one of my favorites. We’re pretty fired up for Saturday,” Stanley said. “I know their top four can swing it, and they’ve got (Jayden) Duncan, (Tre) Broom, (Mason) Parrett and (Josh) Boone and all them jokers.”
