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HALLETTSVILLE – The Columbus Cardinal s’ baseball team understood the challenges of facing a district opponent in the playoffs and the hurdles they would have to clear to claim an advantage over a team they had played twice already. During the district season against the Industrial Cobras, the teams split their competitions as Industrial claimed the first matchup by a 7-4 margin and Columbus won the second by a score of 11-4. The offense was not nearly as potent in the postseason rematch against these teams as the familiarity led to some highly defensive and tight games. However, when the offense could not get going, the Cards relied on the quality pitching and defense they have benefitted from all season to help them claim a twogame shutout sweep over their district rivals. The Cardinals will continue their postseason run into the regional semifinals with a series against Saint Gertrudis Academy for a chance to move on to the regional finals.
Game 1, W, 1-0
The Cards’ third game against the Cobras was a stark contrast to how their matchups in the regular season went. After a couple of high-scoring performances, both teams had difficulties finding hits in a cagey first game. Columbus finished with just two hits while the Cobras finished with a single hit in the game. The teams went back and forth with big defensive plays and impressive performances from the mound as they played through six scoreless innings with little separating the teams. The game remained deadlocked until the top of the seventh and final inning. With two men on base, Nathan Beane delivered the biggest swing of the game with an RBI single that brought in Trevor Berger for the game-winning run. Industrial could not respond in the bottom of the seventh as the Cards held on for the clutch victory.
Beane played the hero as his lone hit and RBI brought the win home as well. Ryan Lewis also picked up a hit and a walk, and Berger secured two walks including the free base that led him all the way home for the game-winning run.
The Cards benefitted from some of the best pitching they have seen in the playoffs provided by starter Kaleb Kuhn. Kuhn controlled the plate with authority, pitching all seven innings and striking out 12 batters while walking just two batters. He allowed only a single hit and did not commit an error as he and the defense played mistake-free baseball to give the Cards a series advantage.
Game 2, W, 1-0
The second game of the regional quarterfinals proceeded in similar fashion to the first game despite both teams’ hitting taking a step forward. There was still little that separated these teams as they played through five more scoreless innings to start the second game of the series. The Cards already bested their prior game’s hitting numbers with three hits by the sixth inning. They finished with five total hits compared to the Cobras’ two hits. Columbus’ final two hits of the game came at a critical time as they loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth inning. Josh Everett provided the big bat in this game as his single scored Trevor Berger from third and kept the bases loaded. Industrial pitched out of the jam to keep the Cards at just one run, but a scoreless seventh by the Cobras clinched the Cards’ spot in the regional semifinals.
Everett brought the clutch hit with a single hit and RBI for Columbus. Ryan Lewis, Conner Geisler, Nathan Beane and Daniel Dillard all contributed a hit as well for the offense.
James Janak started on the mound and continued the Cards’ strong production from their pitchers. He also played a complete game while allowing just two hits and striking out eight batters.
