As remarkable as the Columbia Wildcats bounce-back season has been, it came to an end Saturday at the hands of St. Andrew’s Episcopal.
Game 1 in Ridgeland Friday night was a pitcher’s duel in its purest sense as both hurlers threw complete game four-hitters and kept opposing hitters off balance. Columbia starter Cole Pearson ran into trouble in the fourth, allowing a pair of RBI base knocks but settled back down to throw two more scoreless innings. He struck out three and walked two in six innings of work.
The only damage the Wildcats offense could inflict was a sixth-inning solo homer by Trey Hobgood, his ninth of the season. Aiden Singley, Jonathan Turnage and Pearson each singled in a 2-1 loss.
The Wildcats were able to scatter seven hits in Game 2 at home Saturday morning, but free passes came back to bite them in an 8-2 defeat. Columbia starter Harrison Miller tossed four innings, allowing three runs on three hits and five walks while striking out six. For the game Columbia pitchers walked seven batters, and the defense committed two costly errors.
Singley had a perfect 3-for-3 showing at the dish with a double, and Hobgood went 2-for-2 with a double, an RBI and two walks, but Columbia struggled to keep rallies going.
Although Columbia’s season ended Saturday, there’s no questioning the improvement made in just one year. The Wildcats went 9-17 last season but improved that mark to 18-8 this season with an 8-2 district record.
The Wildcats had a few breakout stars in 2018, including Hobgood, who signed with Pearl River Community College and hit .525 with 30 RBI this season. Sophomore Landon Sanders also broke out at the plate with a .407 average with two homers and 21 RBI. Pearson emerged as well, batting .338 with 11 doubles and 18 RBI, on top of leading the team in steals (11), innings pitched (39 1/3), strikeouts (44) and ERA (2.31).
While the Wildcats will be graduating five starters in Jace Smith, Pearson, Hobgood, Turnage and Miller, they have a lot of talent returning next season that gained a lot of experience this season. Next year’s squad will be led by Sanders, Singley, Grady Lucas, Reagan Davis, Javen Moses and others.
Head coach Greg Owen could not be reached for comment.
Pictured Above: Columbia shortstop Jonathan Turnage watches a single off his bat Saturday against St. Andrew’s. | Photo by Mark Rogers
