Columbus East High School

OLYMPIAN FIELD — It was a night of gratitude and power at Olympian Field this past Thursday as the Columbus East Olympians hosted the Madison Cubs. Before the first pitch was even thrown, the Olympians continued a heartfelt tradition by hosting Teacher Appreciation Night. Each student-athlete stood alongside a faculty or staff member who has made a meaningful impact on their life, celebrating the mentors who provide support both in and out of the classroom. The positive energy from the pre-game ceremony translated immediately to the diamond. The Olympians came out swinging early, explosive enough to build a 7-0 lead within the first two innings, eventually securing an 11-3 win. Early Offensive Explosion The Olympians wasted no time in the bottom of the first inning. Lola Watkins set the tone with a single and three stolen bases in the game, including a bold steal of home. Taylor Wessel kept the momentum alive with an RBI double to center field. By the time the first frame ended, East had jumped to a 4-0 lead, aided by a Madison error. In the second inning, the power display reached its peak. After Jade Hampton singled and Thaise Jessup reached base, pitcher Baleigh Fish launched a massive three-run home run to center field. Fish was a force at the plate all night, finishing with 5 RBIs and a walk. Steady Control and Closing It Out While the offense provided the fireworks, Fish was equally impressive in the circle. She pitched a complete seven-inning game, striking out 5 batters and allowing only six hits. Madison attempted a comeback in the middle innings, but the Olympians' defense and timely hitting kept the game out of reach. In the fifth, Ariel Darnell drove in Wessel with a hard ground ball single to center. The Olympians added three more insurance runs in the sixth inning; Fish knocked in two more runs with a single to left, and Jacque Boroughs reached on an error that allowed Emma Armstrong to cross the plate. By the time the final out was recorded in the top of the seventh, the Olympians had tallied 11 runs on 10 hits. Notable performances included: Lola Watkins: 3 Runs, 2 Hits, 3 Stolen Bases. Taylor Wessel: 2 Runs, 2 Hits (including a Double), 1 RBI. Thaise Jessup: 2 Runs, 2 Hits, 2 RBIs. Ariel Darnell: 2 Hits, 1 RBI. Looking Ahead The Olympians will look to carry this momentum into the weekend. They return to Olympian Field this Saturday, May 16th, for a high-stakes matchup against the Ballard Bruins from Louisville, KY. The Bruins bring a very solid record across state lines, promising a competitive test for the O's. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.