The Columbia Wildcats (11-3, 4-0) showed they mean business in Region 8 last week with a pair of dominant wins in district play, but sandwiched between the wins was a tough loss.
They began their week March 20 with a convincing 19-4 home win over Jefferson Davis County, highlighted by a 13-run second inning.
Reagan Davis led the charge with 4 RBI on two singles and a sacrifice fly, while Trey Hobgood scored three runs and drove in three with two singles. Landon Sanders and Cole Pearson both had two-run doubles, and Javen Moses had 3 RBI without a hit. Jonathan Turnage pitched all three innings in the three-inning, run-rule shortened game, allowing two earned runs on four hits while striking out six.
The momentum ceased Thursday at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College, though, as the Wildcats were no-hit by East Central and committed four errors in an 8-0 loss.
Harrison Miller took the loss on the bump, allowing four earned runs on six hits and two walks in 2 2/3 innings. Aiden Singley gave the Wildcats 3 1/3 solid innings in relief, allowing one run on two hits and two walks.
Friday night in Bassfield the Wildcats used a 10-run third inning to deposit the Jaguars in a 14-2 rout. Turnage launched a grand slam for his first career home run, Moses tripled and singled home four runs and Grady Lucas had 2 RBI on a pair of doubles. Pearson drove in two runs on a single and struck out five batters in two hitless innings on the mound in relief. Sanders started and allowed two earned runs on three hits and three walks while striking out two.
The Wildcats played host to Tylertown Tuesday night, but results were unavailable at press time. They will travel to Tylertown Thursday night to take on the Chiefs at 6:30.
Region 8 has been shaping up as a three-team race all season, and it’s appearing so more now than ever. Columbia, West Marion and Seminary are all undefeated in district play, while Tylertown, Jeff Davis and Wesson are all winless.
Interestingly enough according to MaxPreps’ rankings algorithm that takes strength of schedule and run differential into account, the Wildcats are projected as the No. 4 team in 3A in the state, one spot behind the West Marion Trojans. Seminary, however, appears much lower on the list but not rightfully so. Seminary beat West Marion in South State last season before falling to Mooreville for the state title and returned all but one player for this go around. The Bulldogs, though, currently aren’t receiving any love from the computer-based rankings because they loaded up their non-district schedule with big schools and power houses and have a 7-9 record this season to show for it.
At this points it’s unknown how Columbia stacks up with the Trojans and Bulldogs as Columbia reclassified from 4A to 3A this season. In the Wildcats 11 wins this season they have outscored opponents 114-25, but in their three losses — all against bigger schools — they have been outscored 23-0. The Wildcats play West Marion next Tuesday and Wednesday then take on Seminary April 10 and April 13.
Head coach Greg Owen could not be reached for comment.
Pictured Above: Columbia pitcher Jace Smith winds up to release a pitch March 10 against Walker. | Photo by Joshua Campbell
