Late-Homer Avalanche Buries Columbus in 7-5 Loss to Pensacola

The Columbus Clingstones (33-30, 62-65) had victory in their grasp, but a ninth inning explosion of power from the Pensacola Blue Wahoos (40-22, 76-55) shocked Synovus Park in a 7-5 loss on Sunday night. Columbus split the series 3-3 with the Wahoos and was eliminated from Southern League playoff contention.

Decisive Plays: Columbus burst out with three runs in the first inning, including an RBI double from Owen Carey and an RBI single from Adam Zebrowski. Connor Caskenette hit a solo home run in the third to get the Wahoos on the board. Colby Shade hit a home run in the eighth to make it 3-2. Needing insurance, Columbus received two solo home runs from Alex Lodise (3) and Adam Zebrowski (19) to take a 5-2 lead. In the top of the ninth, Pensacola made two quick outs and had no runners on base before Cristian Hernandez ignited a stunning comeback with a solo home run. Colby Shade tied the game 5-5 with a two-run home run, and Jay Beshears launched a two-run home run to put the Wahoos in front, 7-5. Columbus went down quietly in the ninth inning.

Key Contributors: Carey (1-for-4, 2B, RBI), Lodise (2-for-5, HR, RBI), and Zebrowski (2-for-3, HR, 2 RBI) carried the Columbus offense. For Pensacola, Hernandez (1-for-3, HR, RBI), Shade (2-for-4, 2 HR, 3 RBI), Caskenette (1-for-2, HR, RBI), and Beshears (1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI) combined for five home runs for the Wahoos.

Notable: Columbus went 34-34 at home in 2026. Zebrowski recorded 15 of his 19 home runs with Columbus in home games. Synovus Park welcomed 191,898 fans in the 2026 season.

Next Game (Tuesday, September 8): Columbus at Montgomery, 7:35 p.m. ET at DABOS Park. Radio Broadcast: 7:20 p.m. ET on SportsVisions 92.1 FM. Stream: Bally Sports Live.