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The Cardinal’s varsity baseball team just completed a historical year for Columbus after reaching the Regional Semifinals just a few games away from reaching the state tournament. While their matchup against Saint Gertrudis did not go in their favor after Columbus pushed the series to a clinching third game, the Cards can come away from the season knowing a few positive takeaways from the season at large. For one, the Cards reached the regional semifinal round for the first time in 17 years. Secondly, after finishing the season with 27 wins, the Cards had their winningest season in program history. With several key departures from seniors after this season, the Cards will be hoping to find ways to continue the momentum next season.
Game 1, L, 4-2
The first game of the regional semis did not go in Columbus’ favor after getting out to a contested beginning of the game. The Cards opened with the first run of the series after scoring a single run in the first. Saint Gertrudis responded with a run in the third, and both teams scored a run each in the fifth inning to take a 2-2 scoreline into the later innings. Seven innings was not enough to decide game one as the teams needed an extra inning to find a winner. Saint Gertrudis scored two runs in the top of the eighth inning and held Columbus scoreless at the bottom to escape with a tight win.
The Cards were outhit by Saint Gertrudis 10-6 as the offense struggled after their initial runs. Ryan Carter and Trevor Berger contributed two hits apiece to lead the offense in that category. Berger and Zajicek batted in the Cards’ only runs of the game. Zajicek also got the start on the pitch and combined with James Janak to strike out eight batters and allow just three walks.
Game 2, W, 2-1
The Cards found a way to win their rematch game of the series with a single inning as their offense once again had some difficulties getting warmed up. Columbus was outhit again after picking up just four hits to the Lions’ six hits. The Cards scored two runs in the top of the third inning after a scoreless first two innings by both teams. The game did not have another run added to the scoreboard until the bottom of the sixth inning when Saint Gertrudis added their lone run. Neither team scored in the seventh as the Cards held on to the slim lead to claim victory.
Ryan Carter, Conner Geisler, Dylan Zajicek and Nathan Beane picked up one hit each to provide every hit for the Cards throughout the game. Carter and Geisler were responsible for batting in the two runs that scored in the game. Kaleb Kuhn started on the mound and nearly finished with double- digit strikeouts with nine after allowing just one run and one walk.
Game 3, L, 5-3
The Cards first game of the series outhitting the Lions came in a losing effort after their 7-6 hitting advantage failed to convert into a series win in the deciding game. The Lions found two runs in the top of the third inning to open the scoring. They followed up with three more runs in the fifth to give the Cards a 5-run deficit and forced Columbus to play from behind. The Cardinals found a response in the sixth inning as they showed some grit to battle back in the game. They found three runs in the bottom of the sixth with just one more chance to close the 5-3 deficit in the final inning. They did their job on defense, holding the Lions scoreless at the top of the inning. However, the Cards left one on in the seventh as they made it only four batters deep in the inning to drop the series.
Conner Geisler got the start on the mound and teamed up with James Janak from the bullpen to pick up eight total strikeouts for the defense. On offense, Nathan Beane led the way with two hits for the squad, while he and Josh Everett led the team in RBIs with one apiece.
Daniel Dillard gets ready for his cuts at the plate.
