After a tough 10-inning loss Monday in the opening round of the Hoosier Hills Conference tournament at Floyd Central, Class 4A No. 3 Columbus East put all worries aside about a possible letdown in a consolation-round game against visiting Madison Wednesday evening.
The Olympians scored two runs in each of the first two innings, and hurler Clayton Taylor threw a complete game three-hitter in a 7-0 victory.
“There was some concern about how we’d come out. It’s always tough losing in the first round of the tournament,” East coach Jon Gratz said. “But I thought we were up at the beginning and the end of the game. We did get quiet in the middle, but we took care of business.”
Leadoff hitter Jonah Wichman got things started for the Olympians (14-4) in the top of the first. He tripled to right-center field and was brought home by a Dalton Back sacrifice fly to give East 1-0 lead just two batters into the game. Julian Greenwell then singled for the first of his three hits on the night. After moving to third on an error, he scored on the second sacrifice fly of the inning, this time by Nash Murphy to put the Olympians up 2-0 after one.
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East tacked on two more runs in the second. Kaden Wise reached on an error with one out and was singled home by Back to put the home team up 3-0. Greenwell and Parker Harrison then hit back-to-back singles to score Wise for the fourth run.
The Olympians added a single run in the fifth when Harrison walked and stole second. On his attempt to steal third, the Cubs catcher threw the ball into left field, allowing Harrison to score.
East added two insurance runs in the sixth. Back reached on an error. Greenwell then walked to put runners on first and second. Harrison again came through, singling home Back. That was followed by a Murphy single that scored Greenwell, putting the Olympians up 7-0.
That was more than enough for Taylor. He did not allow a baserunner until giving up a single to start the fifth. Taylor finished with eight strikeouts.
“I felt good tonight. It’s easy to throw strikes when you have a defense like we do behind you. Early on, I was locating well. Toward the end, I was feeling some fatigue and wasn’t as sharp, but overall, I felt good. I just want to do what I can to help my team, and tonight, it was pitching,” Taylor said.
