Clingstones Break Through Extra-Inning Calamity in 4-3 Win Over Montgomery

MONTGOMERY, AL., — The Columbus Clingstones (13-18, 39-58) and Montgomery Biscuits (14-17, 52-48) battled to a scoreless tie through nine innings before a wild extra-inning sequence saw the Clingstones escape trouble in the 10th, break through in the 11th, and hang on in the home half for a 4-3 win in 11 innings Friday night at Riverwalk Stadium.

Decisive Plays: Both Columbus starter Ian Mejia and Montgomery starter Brody Hopkins dueled through intermittent rain to hold their opponents scoreless through six innings. The bullpen for each side continued the brilliant pitching performances into the 10th inning, where Columbus was unable to score.

Montgomery had the bases loaded in the bottom of the 10th when a wild pitch from LJ McDonough incredibly caromed back to catcher Adam Zebrowski, holding the potential tying run at third base. McDonough got through the 10th inning unscathed and stranded the bases loaded.

In the 11th inning Columbus erupted for four runs with an RBI double from E.J. Exposito, an RBI single from Jim Jarvis, a sacrifice fly from David McCabe, and an RBI double from Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. to lead 4-0.

Montgomery nearly tied the game in the bottom of the 11th on a double high off the wall from Jadher Areinamo. With the score 4-3, Shay Schanaman struck out Will Simpson with the tying run on third base to seal a thrilling Columbus victory.

Key Contributors: McCabe (2-for-4, RBI), Exposito (1-for-3, 2B, RBI), Kilpatrick Jr. (1-for-1, 2B, RBI) and Jarvis (1-for-5, RBI, SB) put up just enough offense for Columbus in the top of the 11th while Mejia (6.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 SO) returned to his stellar form. For Montgomery, Colton Ledbetter (2-for-5, RBI, SB), Areinamo (1-for-5, 2B, RBI), and Cooper Kinney (1-for-5, RBI) nearly brought the Biscuits all the way back to tie the game. Hopkins (7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 2 BB, 10 SO) dominated in his start.

Notable: Columbus improves to 6-6 in extra-inning games and snapped a 19-inning scoring drought with four runs in the 11th inning. McCabe recorded his 11th multi-hit game in the second half. Columbus welcomed four newcomers into the lineup in Jarvis (SS), Lizandro Espinoza (CF), Patrick Clohisy (RF), and Tyler Tolve (C).

Next Game (Saturday, August 2): Columbus at Montgomery, 7:05 pm ET at Riverwalk Stadium. RHP Drue Hackenberg (1-4, 9.00 ERA) will start for Columbus opposed by RHP Ty Johnson (4-4, 2.59 ERA) for Montgomery. Radio Broadcast: 7:20 pm ET on Sports Visions 92.1 FM.

Next Home Game (Tuesday, August 5): Columbus vs. Rocket City, 7:05 pm ET at Synovus Park. Radio Broadcast: 6:50 pm ET on Sports Visions 92.1 FM.