Prior to falling Saturday at West Marion, Columbia Academy did something no other Cougars ball club has done since 1995: Beat Parklane Academy.
The Cougars (6-11, 2-1) picked up a huge 4-2 win March 16 over Parklane Academy, who had beat CA twice this season by a combined 18-4 and went into the game 7-2.
“It was a big win for the kids and big for the program. I had an old coach tell me that was the first time we ever beat Parklane in history. The state championship teams never beat them. It’s a big step for the program going into the future, taking down someone like that,” head coach Keith Stanley said. “Our kids stepped up to the challenge and got the job done.”
Seventh-grader Logan Buckley had his wipeout breaking ball rolling as he fanned nine batters and allowed just two hits in five one-run innings.
“He did another good job on the mound for us. The big thing for him is he has the older guys behind him supporting him 100%. I think that gives more and more confidence when he’s out there,” Stanley said. “He’s been really good for us out there.”
At the plate, Robert Johnson and Hays Carley both ripped solo home runs, and Buckley plated a run with a double. To round out the offense, Jacob Reid and Holdyn Sandifer each singled twice.
“That was (Carley’s) first homer. He’s put on a lot of weight since last year and is starting to develop some power, which is good for colleges to see. Robert Johnson went yard again, so it was good for them to start seeing that a little bit. That’s a dangerous 1-2 punch in the leadoff and in the two-hole,” Stanley said.
The Cougars were supposed to play host to Bowling Green Tuesday, but with the expected rain, the district matchup was pushed up to Monday. Despite outhitting the Buccaneers 10-2, the Cougars lost 7-5 on their home field.
“We gave up a six spot in the first inning off of errors and walks. We tried to make a comeback and outhit them 10-2 but still lost,” Stanley said. “We came out the same way we did against West (Marion) — we were flat. We didn’t have a lot of energy. After the first inning, we played a pretty good ball game, but that one inning kind of bit us in the tail. We just couldn’t scratch back enough.”
Five of CA’s 10 hits were doubles with Jeffrey Pennington ripping a pair of two-baggers and Sandifer, Carley and Buckley each hitting one. Sandifer drove in two runs for the Cougars, and Johnson had an RBI. Trevor Courtney tossed a complete game, allowing three earned runs on just two hits and three walks while fanning six.
The Cougars will finish off their three-game series with Bowling Green in Franklinton, La. Friday in a doubleheader, then they will play host to West Marion Saturday.
