Marietta, Ga. – A five-run ninth inning was the difference as Columbia baseball fell to Kennesaw State 10-9 on Saturday afternoon. Seven Lions drove in a run on Saturday with
Jack Kail and
Tate Vogler knocking in a pair each.
Columbia (1-1) scored the opening run in the top of the first inning when
Skye Selinsky doubled down the right field line to drive in
Griffin Palfrey. In the top of the second, the Lions added to their lead when Kail scored the first three runs on the day.
In the top of the third, Kail struck again, smashing a two-run double to left field that scored Selinsky and
Anton Lazits. Vogler added a fifth run in the frame when he singled p the middle to score Jack Brewer.
In the fifth, the Lions got three more runs when Vogler singled up the middle to score Jack. Palfrey and
Sam Miller each knocked in a run with RBI singles.
Trailing 9-3 late in the contest, Kennesaw State (2-5) started its comeback with a two-run seventh thanks to a single from Aaron Posey and an RBI from Wesley Alig. Posey was a thorn in the Lions side, going 3-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and two driven in.
Trailing 9-5 in the bottom of the ninth, the Owls began their late rally with back-to-back doubles. The Owls plated two more on an RBI single off the bat of Chris Cole and an RBI double from pinch-hitter James McGee. With the bases loaded, the Owls completed the comeback thanks to a hit batter and scored the winning run on a wild pitch.
Taking the loss was
Ray Huke (0-1). Huke could not get out of the ninth after pitching in the seventh and eighth innings. In 2.1 innings pitched, he allowed seven runs, six earned, with a walk and a strikeout.
Thomas Santana got the start for the Lions; he went 3.1 innings.
Evan Kleinhans tossed 2.2 scoreless innings in relief, striking out four.
Ty Bayer earned the win for the Owls. He tossed 4.1 scoreless innings in relief, allowing a hit and two walks while striking out six. Sunday's rubber match is scheduled for a 1 p.m. first pitch.
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