Topeka, Kansas – This afternoon the Columbia College men's baseball team was back in action as they took on Northwestern (Iowa) College on day two in Topeka, Kansas. The Cougars split the doubleheader as the Red Raiders took game one 11-6 and the Cougars won 6-1 in the second game. The Cougars are now 4-4 on the season.
In the first game against the Red Raiders, both teams were able to get on the board in the first inning, but the Red Raiders outran the Cougars to take the lead 3-1. The teams battled it out and were able to keep each other from scoring until the bottom of the fifth where the Cougars scored two runs to tie the game 3-3. Northwestern College was quick to respond in the sixth by scoring three runs to take the lead back 6-3. Columbia College pushed on in the same inning, and were able to score two runs to cut the lead 6-5. The Red Raiders had some momentum going into the final inning, and were able to score five runs, making it an 11-5 game. The Cougars were able to rally up another run in the seventh, but fell short as the Red Raiders picked up the final outs of the game to hand the Cougars the loss.
Reid Browning (0-1) got the start on the mound as he allowed just four hits while striking out five batters in four innings of work.
Derek Sallee,
Lane Threlkeld (0-1),
Jacob Hollingsworth, and
Tanner Beatty came in to relieve Browning as they allowed a combined six hits and struck out two batters in the final three innings of play. Offensively, the Cougars were led by
Ethan Howser who went 3-4 with two RBI.
Kenny Piper also had three hits with one RBI and two runs scored, and
Blade McKee had one hit with one RBI and two runs scored.
The Cougars started the second game strong by scoring two runs in both the first and second inning to take the lead 4-0. Columbia College was able to add another run in both the third and fifth while keeping Northwestern College from scoring. The Red Raiders were able to get themselves on the board in the sixth, but the Cougars were able to keep them at one to win the game 6-1.
Grant Starke (1-0) got the start for the Cougars as he was able to remain on the mound for the whole seven-inning game. Starke only allowed one earned run while striking out three batters. Offensively, Columbia College was led by
Chase Urhahn who had two hits with one RBI and one run scored,
Nolan Rattai who had a hit with one RBI and a run scored, and
Dalton Bealmer who had a hit and two runs scored.
The baseball team is back in action Friday, February 22nd as they take on Central Baptist College in a doubleheader to begin AMC play. The first game is set to begin at 2 p.m. with the second game to follow.
