Joplin, Mo. – The Columbia College baseball team was back in action today when they took on the Benedictine (Kan.) College Ravens and the Viterbo (Wis.) University V-Hawks in the 2018 Joplin Invitational. The Cougars, who defeated MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.) University by a score of 8-6 yesterday, improved to 7-2 on the season after falling to the Ravens by a final score of 10-5 and defeating the V-Hawks by a final score of 5-2.
Columbia College came out in the first game against Viterbo and were able to take an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. The Ravens answered with a five run rally in the top of fifth to make the score 5-2 but another two runs from the Cougars in the bottom of the third game Benedictine a 5-4 lead heading into the fourth. The Ravens were able to tack on two more runs in the top of the fourth, one run in the top of the sixth, and two runs in the top of the seventh to extend their lead to 10-4 heading into the final half inning. Columbia College did their best to get back into the game and were able to score one final run in the bottom of the seventh, but that was as close as they would get as the Ravens picked up the final outs to hand the Cougars their first loss of the weekend.
Cody Ebert (2-1) got the start in this one as the senior allowed five hits and three earned runs while striking out three batters in 3.2 innings of work. Collin Bernskoetter (0-0), Lane Threlkeld (0-0), Jordan Copeland (0-0), and Hunter Trowbridge (0-0) pitched the final 3.1 innings of the game as the four allowed a combined three earned runs and three hits while accumulating five strikeouts. Offensively, Columbia was led by Andrew Warner, Jordan Wright, and Tim Fox who each went 2-3 with an RBI.
In the second game against the V-Hawks, the Cougars were able to get on the board first with a two run rally in the top of the second. They added runs in the top of the third, top of the fifth, and top of the seventh to extend their lead to 5-0 heading into the final half inning. Despite being down, Viterbo continued to fight and were able pick up two runs in the bottom of the seventh to cut the Cougars lead to 5-2. Following the second run in the inning, Craig Smith came into the game with the bases loaded and two outs and was able to pick up the final out to solidify his third save of the season.
Chris Wall (1-0) started this game as he allowed just two hits while picking up seven strikeouts in 3.2 scoreless innings on the mound. J.W. McGraw (1-0), Tanner Allen (0-0), and Craig Smith (1-0) pitched the final 3.1 innings of the game allowing just one hit and two earned runs while striking out a combined three batters. Andrew Warner led the way offensively for the Cougars as he went 2-4 with two homeruns and two RBI's. To go along with Warner, Ethan Howser went 1-4 with an RBI, Ward Mershon went 1-3 with an RBI, and Luke Miller went 1-2 with an RBI to round out the top performers for Columbia.
The baseball team is back in action tomorrow, February 18th when thy continue play in the 2018 Joplin Invitational. They will take on Peru State (Neb.) College at 1:30 p.m.
