Columbus East High School

The Columbus East Olympians made the trip to Floyds Knobs on Saturday morning for a Hoosier Hills Conference matchup against Floyd Central, but a late offensive burst by the Highlanders proved to be the difference in a 9-0 loss. Columbus East kept things within reach early, trailing just 2-0 heading into the fifth inning. Starting pitcher Kaden Arnholt battled through five innings on the mound, allowing six hits and four runs—only two earned—while striking out seven. Despite working around traffic at times, Arnholt kept the Olympians in striking distance through the middle innings. However, the game slipped away in the fifth and sixth. Floyd Central pushed across two runs in the fifth before breaking things open with a five-run sixth inning, creating separation that Columbus East couldn’t overcome. Offensively, the Olympians struggled to find rhythm at the plate against a strong Highlander pitching performance. Columbus East was limited to just two hits on the day, coming from Emmett Harden and Bige Asher. Harden added a double for East’s only extra-base hit, while Luke Rager also reached base after being hit by a pitch and swiped a bag. The Olympians had limited opportunities overall, finishing with just three runners left on base and striking out nine times as a team. Paxton Thompson came on in relief for East, tossing one inning and allowing five runs on four hits. Columbus East will look to bounce back quickly as they return home Monday to host another conference opponent, Jeffersonville, at Olympian Field.