Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
Meeting on the softball diamond on Tuesday evening, the clash between Columbia City and Warsaw had its ups and downs for both teams. The Lady Eagles started hot, scoring seven runs in the top of the first. The Lady Tigers struck back later in the game, getting a pair of runs in the bottom of the third to put momentum on their side. However, that burst was short lived, as the weather reared its ugly head, causing a fourth-inning postponement with Columbia City up 11-4.
The top of the first inning did not produce the start that the Lady Tigers were looking for. After the second hitter of the inning was retired, the Lady Eagles went on to put their next nine batters on base. Obviously, the visitors were able to rack up the runs by doing so. The big hit of the inning was a two-RBI double by Bralynn Leazier, but she was just one of four players to drive in a run in an inning in which Columbia City went up 7-0.
Warsaw was able to get a pair of runs back in the bottom half of the first. Raegen Robinson led off the inning with a walk, followed by a bloop single from Emma Denney. That brought up freshman Harper Setser, who crushed a ball to the right field wall to drive in a run with an RBI double. A few pitches later, Denney would score on a wild pitch to shrink the deficit to five.
Unfortunately for the Lady Tigers, their opponent got those two runs back and then some in the top of the second. Leazier got it going with her second RBI double of the afternoon, coming around to score herself on a ground out a batter later. Columbia City would add one more run to make it an even 10 after two innings, leading 10-3.
Warsaw senior Addison Eastwood releases her pitch to the plate during Tuesday evening's home game against Columbia City...Nieter
Singles in the bottom of the second by Addison Eastwood and Addyson Sainer resulted in a pair of runners in scoring position with just one out for Warsaw. Needing to get some runs back to hang around in this one, the Lady Tigers made the final two outs of the frame without pushing a run across, allowing the threat to pass for the visitors without any damage done.
The missed opportunity became even more of a factor in the top of the third, as the Lady Eagles were able to plate another run to extend their lead to nine. Catcher Mackenzie Taulbee hit a one-out double and eventually scored on a wild pitch two hitters later.
In the bottom of the third, Warsaw was able to cut into the deficit once again. With runners on first and second, Eastwood came to the plate and only needed one pitch to make it count. The senior drilled a ball into the right-center gap, allowing both runners to score on what was Eastwood’s second knock of the game. She carried that momentum over to the circle, where she retired the side in order in the top of the fourth to give the Lady Tiger sluggers another crack at it.
However, Warsaw did not get the opportunity to try and continue to capitalize on the momentum it had gained. After two outs were made in the bottom of the fourth, the game was delayed due to lightning in the area. After continuous strikes lit up the sky for the next 40 or so minutes, the game was officially postponed. A later make up date has not been announced.
Warsaw will return to action on Wednesday at home against Goshen. The Lady Tigers are still seeking their first win.
