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The Columbus Cardinals’ baseball team had an ideal beginning to their week after taking a big victory over their Colorado County rivals, Rice Consolidated. They had one of their best total performances of the season as their offense and defense came together to force an early, mercy-rule defeat for the Raiders. The Cards did not have as much offensive firepower in the second game of the week as they fell to Hallettsville in a game that decided which of the two teams would occupy the top spot in the district. If the two teams continue to win until their second meeting of the season in the regular season finale, that final game could decide which of these teams will win the district championship.
Vs Rice, W, 21-1
Columbus wasted no time in taking a big lead over the Raiders as they had one of their most effective offensive games of the season. The Cards jumped out to a big lead in the first inning after shutting out Rice at the top of the inning and following with seven runs in the bottom. Columbus pushed their lead to 10-0 after the second inning as they continued to make things difficult for Rice. The Cards had their best inning in the third after scoring 11 runs in the period to push the lead to 21 points while maintaining the shut out. Both teams failed to score in the fourth before Rice broke the shutout in the top of the fifth after Ruston Krenek picked up one of his two hits and maneuvered the bases for the Raiders’ lone score of the game. Overall, the Cards finished with 15 total hits while the Raiders ended their day with three hits after the mercy-rule decision completed the game after the top of the fifth.
Ryan Carter knocked in several runs for the Cards, finishing with a team-leading four RBIs. Columbus’ Ryan Lewis led both teams with three hits in the game.
Vs Hallettsville, L, 6-2 The offensive effectiveness from earlier in the week did not carry over against the first-place Hallettsville Brahmas to end the week. Columbus struggled to score as they failed to score a run in the first four innings of the game. While the Cards’ offense had their own difficulties, the defense also left much to be desired as the Brahmas jumped out to an early lead with a 4-run opening inning. Columbus locked in following the first, holding Hallettsville to three straight scoreless innings before allowing one run in each of the next two innings to push the Brahmas to their final scoreline. The Cards could not find a response until the bottom of the fifth as they countered with two runs to cut the lead to 5-2 before being held without a run for the rest of the game.
Kaleb Kuhn got the start for the Cards and threw five strikeouts in five innings of work. The Cards were outhit 8-4 by the Brahmas and they sacrificed two errors on the defensive end as well.
