The Republic photo by Mike Wolanin
INDIANAPOLIS — Columbus East’s bid for a first baseball state championship ended in heartbreak.
Hamilton Southeastern took advantage of two Olympian errors in the bottom of the seventh inning to claim a 3-2 victory in the Class 4A state final at Victory Field in Indianapolis.
East (25-5) twice battled back from one-run deficits, tying the game at 1-1 on an RBI-single by Julian Greenwell in the third, and at 2-2 on an RBI-infield single by Parker Harrison in the fifth. But the Olympians left seven runners on base in the first five innings.
HSE (23-8) outhit East 7-5. Cole Gilley allowed two runs and six hits over the first six innings before giving way to Greenwell in the seventh.
Following the game, Greenwell was named the IHSAA Mental Attitude Award winner.
The game began at 9:50 p.m. Monday and ended at 12:09 a.m. today. The Class A final that preceded the 4A game was delayed a half-hour at the start because of rain and another half-hour in the second inning because of lightning.
Columbus East has changed its plans and will not have a post-game rally this morning for the team after returning to town, according to East athletic director Pete Huse.
12:17 a.m. update:
East’s Julian Greenwell wins the L.V. Phillips Mental Attitude Award.
12:10 a.m. update
In the bottom of the seventh, the Royals get a one-out single and an error by the O’s puts runners on first and second. A throwing error after a groundout scores the winning run for the Royals, who claim the 4A crown with a 3-2 win.
12:01 a.m. update:
O’s go down in order in the top of the seventh.
11:55 p.m. update:
Royals get a one-out single in the bottom of the sixth but nothing more. Tied 2-2 going to the seventh.
11:48 p.m. update:
Three up, three down for the O’s in the top of the sixth.
11:42 p.m. update:
Three up, three down for the Royals in the bottom of the fifth. Tied 2-2.
11:35 p.m. update:
Wichman leads off the top of the fifth with a bunt single and advances to second on a balk by the pitcher. A walk to Back and a wild pitch put runners at first and third. Back’s steal of second put both runners in scoring position with no outs. Parker Harrison’s two-out, slow-rolling hit down the third base line ties the game 2-2.
11:18 p.m. update
Royals get a two-out walk and another hitter reaches on an error, but Barkhimer ends the fourth inning with a diving catch down the left field line.
11:06 p.m. update:
East’s T.J. Barkhimer draws a one-out walk in the top of the fourth and steals second, but is stranded.
10:57 p.m. update:
Royals go ahead 2-1 in the bottom of the third on a single, stolen base and a one-out single.
10:44 p.m. update:
O’s get a leadoff single in the top of the third from Clayton Taylor and sacrifice bunt from Ben Major. Taylor advances to third on Jonah Wichman’s groundout. After Back draws a walk Julian Greenwell’s single to right ties the game. O’s pitcher Cole Gilley walks to load the bases but Royals escape further damage. Score 1-1.
10:31 p.m. update:
Royals strand two runners. HSE leads 1-0 after two.
10:21 p.m. update:
O’s fail to score in the second. Double play erases a runner.
10:11 p.m. update:
HSE gets a run with a leadoff double and two-out hit to left field. Lead 1-0 after one.
9:57 p.m. update:
East’s Dalton Back rips one-out triple but O’s unable to bring him home in top of first.
9:53 p.m. update:
We’re underway.
9:48 p.m. update:
Players being introduced.
9:23 p.m. update:
The 4A championship game is starting too late for it to be included in Tuesday’s print edition of The Republic. Look online at therepublic.com and The Republic’s Twitter account for updates, and in Wednesday’s edition of The Republic for full coverage.
Original post:
COLUMBUS, Ind. — The IHSAA Class 4A Baseball State Championship game between Columbus East (25-4) and Hamilton Southeastern (22-8) at Victory Field in Indianapolis will begin at about 9:45 p.m., per the IHSAA.
