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The Columbus Major Softball All-Star team traveled to New Mexico to participate in the Southwest Regional tournament.
From July 22-24 Columbus challenged some of the best teams in the Southwest region to try and earn a spot in the Little League World Series.
In their first game Columbus took on Louisiana in a highly anticipated matchup. Across all sports any time Louisiana and Texas matchup it is always good for a dramatic and exciting game and this one was no different.
In the first inning, Loui- siana opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning, but Columbus held them to only one run before leaving. Columbus’ offense struggled to find their footing in game one recording only two hits in the contest.
Despite their struggling offense their defense never wavered and stood their ground. They held Louisiana in check and kept them off the scoreboard for the next two innings.
As the fourth inning rolled around Columbus found a way to get a runner on base and a runner in a scoring position. Unfortunately, Louisiana’s defense was ready to stand tall as well and closed out the inning.
In the bottom of the fourth Louisiana extended their lead to 2-0 and Columbus could not complete the comeback and the game ended with a score of 2-0. The loss left a sour taste in Columbus’ mouth, and their offense responded in a big way in game two against Oklahoma.
The game against Oklahoma saw Columbus’ offense Roar to life to the tune of a 13-1 victory. The win saw not one but two inside-the-park homeruns from Isabella Ruvalcaba and Abigail Wolters.
Berkely Anderson and Lucy Schobel each recorded a double in the contest which added to the offensive resurgence Columbus had in game two. Anderson and Cambry Barten shared the responsibilities in the circle where they gave up only one run while striking out 10 batters.
With the offense back on track Columbus headed into game three against New Mexico. Columbus now facing a win or go home scenario against New Mexico, and it took all six innings to decide a winner. To start the game Columbus opened the scoring in the top of the first inning and jumped out to a 2-0 lead. New Mexico responded by scoring four runs in the bottom of the first to take the lead back from Columbus.
New Mexico extended their lead in the bottom of the third but only by one run making the score 5-3. Columbus then took their turn to respond in a big way in the top of the fourth scoring three runs and tying the game up and five runs each.
The game was scoreless in the fifth and in the bottom of the sixth, New Mexico finished the game. They scored the final run off a walk-off single to win the game 6-5.
The loss was Columbus’ second of the tournament and thus eliminated them from competition and closed the book on a truly stellar and exciting season for the Columbus Major Girls All-Star Softball team.
