Columbus East High School

The Columbus East softball team delivered a strong all-around performance at The Torch Yard on Tuesday night, defeating the visiting Trinity Lutheran Cougars 11-1 in five innings on BCSC Teacher Appreciation Night. The Olympians got on the board early in the bottom of the first, sparked by a leadoff single from Lola Watkins. Baleigh Fish drove in the first run with a double, and Taylor Wessel and Thaise Jessup followed with back-to-back hits to extend the lead to 2-0. Fish was dominant in the circle, striking out eight Cougar batters and allowing just two hits over five innings. Trinity Lutheran threatened in the second with a leadoff double, but Fish and the East defense worked out of the jam to preserve the early lead. The Olympians capitalized on Cougar miscues in the second as Watkins reached and scored on a passed ball and multiple errors, stretching the lead to 3-0. Fish helped her own cause in the same inning with a solo home run to center, pushing the advantage to 4-0. After Trinity scratched across a run in the third, Jessup answered immediately with an inside-the-park home run to open the bottom of the inning. Jade Hampton later tripled and came home on a passed ball to make it 6-1. Columbus East pulled away in the fifth. With two runners on and two outs, Wessel ripped a triple to the gap in right field, clearing the bases and bringing home three key insurance runs. Jessup followed with her third hit of the night to drive in Wessel and cap the scoring at 11-1. The game was called after five innings under the run rule, but the night was about more than just the scoreboard. The Olympians honored BCSC teachers throughout the evening, celebrating the dedication and impact of educators in the East community. Columbus East improves their record and will look to carry the momentum into the back half of the season. The O's will be back in action tonight(5/9) when they travel to face a non-conference opponent, the Connersville Spartans starting at 6 p.m. and then back on the road Saturday(5/10) to face Indianapolis Living Waters starting at 2:30 p.m.