DANE FUELLING
WZBD.com
DECATUR – Columbia City took advantage of a key, two-out error in the third inning to put a four-spot on the scoreboard on their way to a thrilling, 8-7 victory to open NE8 play against the Bellmont Braves. The contest saw both teams score two runs in the seventh and final inning of play.
Bella Ashley went back in the circle after sitting out both games Saturday in Kokomo for the Braves. She struck out six and pitched the whole game. Four of her runs were unearned because of two Bellmont errors.
Emma Hiss used the strikeout to negate many of the eleven hits for Bellmont in the contest. She finished with nine Ks for the Eagles.
Ashley and Taylor Bauer each had a double – the only two extra-base hits for the home team.
Emily Bleke dropped down to the No. 2 spot in the order and reached base twice on two singles, scoring twice.
Taylor Sutter and Liz Bobay each continued to swing a hot bat with two hits apiece in the lower half of the lineup.
Trailing 6-1 after three innings, the Braves scored twice in the fourth with hits by Bobay and Sutter. They added another in the fifth with a CC error and again in the sixth with the help of another Eagle error.
After allowing two runs in the top of the seventh to fall down by three heading into the final at-bats, the Braves got a single from Bleke and another by Bauer to put two on base. Oni Krueckeberg walked to load the bases and bring the winning run to the plate.
Bobay and Sutter followed with RBI hits, to cut the gap to one run, but the Eagles made the play on the final ground ball and picked up the win.
Bellmont will play at Norwell and look for their first NE8 win in a game broadcast on 92.7 FM.
About the Author
