MARIETTA, Ga. – The Owls (2-5, 0-0 CUSA) rattled off seven unanswered runs to take down the Lions (1-1, 0-0 Ivy League) 10-9 in walk-off fashion.
The six-run comeback is the largest comeback since March 22, 2022, when the Owls overcame seven runs from UNF.
An
Evan Holstein at-bat opened the door for a walk-off wild pitch as
Cooper Williams slid into home, securing the Owl's second victory of the season.
The Lions struck first in the beginning inning, but a relay throw from
Kaden Brown to home plate tallied the third out and prevented a second run from scoring, keeping it a 1-0 game.
An additional run crossed for Columbia via a fielder's choice, scoring a runner from third base in the second inning.
In the home half, Kennesaw State took advantage of back-to-back miscues from Columbia as they scored on an error from the third baseman and a wild pitch. Those plays resulted in scores from
Cam Suto and
Aaron Posey, tying the game at two.
In the third inning, Columbia laced a double into the left-center gap, scoring two runs and separating from the Owls 4-2. A single through the middle gave the Lions a 5-2 lead going into the bottom of the third.
Back-to-back two-out hits added the sixth run of the game for the Lions in the top of the fourth inning extending the lead 6-2.
With the bases loaded,
Chris Cole earned an infield hit with a bouncer over the pitcher's head, scoring Holstein in the fourth inning. The Owls brought the game to within three runs.
The Lions remained persistent as they tacked on three runs in the following inning, jumping out to a 9-3 advantage.
Freshman
Ty Bayer tore through the Lions in the seventh inning as he struck out the side, the first Owl to do so this year.
Aaron Posey chipped away at the deficit in the seventh inning with a single past the diving shortstop, scoring Holstein for the second time in the game. Another error from third base gave the Owls another run making it 9-5 with the Owls on the hunt.
Cam Suto leadoff double down the left field line followed by
Aaron Posey rope to center field. Suto scores and they bring it to three runs with no outs.
A
Chris Cole single to left field brought around Posey making it a 9-7 ballgame as
James McGee entered as a pinch hitter.
McGee yanked a double down the left field line, scoring Cole from first and bringing the Owls within one run with two Owl runners on the base paths.
Cooper Williams first pitch deflected in the dirt, hitting him. A Donvan Cash walk was followed by
Nate Anderson being hit by a pitch, loading the bases for Holstein with a tie game at 9-9.
Holstein wouldn't even have to take the bat off his should as a wild pitch led to Williams sliding in for the game-winning run. The Owls scored seven unanswered runs to win 10-9 in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Spotlight Performances
- Bayer shoved in his 4.1 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out six batters in his win
- Holstein reached base at every opportunity being hit-by-pitch twice and taking two walks
- Posey flexed his muscles by posting three hits, the fourth time he has done so in his career
- Cole has notched his third fourth-hit game of the season as he collected three knocks along with two RBI and two walks
- McGee's marquee double down the left field line was the first of his career and the first as a pinch hitter
- It's the first time this season the Owls have eclipsed the 10 run marks as a team
Next Up
The Owls will play the Lions in the rubber match at S. Walter Kelly Sr. Memorial Field Sunday at 1 p.m.
