Clingstones Drop Series Finale 9-8 as Comeback Runs Out of Steam
BILOXI, MS., — The Columbus Clingstones (4-4) jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and held a 5-3 advantage midway through the game, but a five-run third inning by the Biloxi Shuckers (2-7) swung the momentum. A late comeback attempt by the Clingstones fell just short in a 9-8 loss
BILOXI, MS., — The Columbus Clingstones (4-4) jumped out to an early 3-0 lead and held a 5-3 advantage midway through the game, but a five-run third inning by the Biloxi Shuckers (2-7) swung the momentum. A late comeback attempt by the Clingstones fell just short in a 9-8 loss Sunday afternoon at Keesler Federal Park.
Decisive Plays: Cade Bunnell ripped a two-run double down the first base line to give Columbus a 3-0 lead in the first. Biloxi got on the board with a Zavier Warren RBI sacrifice fly and an Ethan Murray RBI single to bring the score to 3-2. Columbus extended its lead with two runs in the top of the third, with RBI singles from Bunnell and Kobe Kato.
The Shuckers seized control of the contest with a five-run fifth inning, featuring a two-run home run from Cooper Pratt. Another two-run homer by Eric Brown Jr. gave Biloxi a 9-5 lead in the fifth inning.
Columbus began to battle back with two RBI doubles from Kato and Dylan Shockley in the eighth and drew within a run at 9-8 in the ninth after a wild pitch scored David McCabe. With the tying run at second base, Justin Yeager (S, 1) struck out Geraldo Quintero to end the game.
Key Contributors: Bunnell (2-for-4, 2B, 3 RBI) led the scoring for Columbus. Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. (3-for-5), Kato (2-for-4, 2 RBI), Shockley (2-for-4, RBI), and Drew Compton (2-for-5) all recorded multi-hit games. For Biloxi, Brown Jr. and Pratt each had a home run and two RBIs. Brian Fitzpatrick (Win, 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 4 SO) shut down Columbus in the middle stages.
Noteworthy: The Clingstones recorded a new single-game team high of 15 hits in the contest. McCabe extended his season-opening hit streak to seven games. Columbus went 7-for-19 with runners in scoring position. Through eight games, no Southern League team has had more at bats with runners in scoring position than Columbus (108).
Next Game (Tuesday, April 15): Columbus vs. Pensacola, 7:05 pm ET at Synovus Park. The first-ever Clingstones home game will feature a Commemorative Ticket for the first 3,000 fans and Postgame Fireworks to celebrate the milestone event.