Columbus East High School

The Columbus East softball team nearly staged a late-game comeback but ultimately came up just short in a 5-4 loss to the Living Water Marlins on Saturday afternoon. After falling behind 3-0 in the first inning, the Olympians chipped away at the deficit throughout the game and brought the tying run to second base in the seventh inning. However, a double play ended the rally and sealed the win for the host Marlins. Living Waters struck early with a two-out, three-run homer in the bottom of the first by their first baseman. Columbus East starter Baleigh Fish allowed just two more runs over the next five innings, but the early damage loomed large. Trailing 3-0 in the second, the Olympians responded with a run of their own. Taylor Wessel led off with a double and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Jade Hampton to cut the deficit to 3-1. Living Waters extended the lead to 5-1 in the fourth inning with back-to-back RBI hits. Columbus East mounted its best rally in the sixth. Lola Watkins doubled to lead off the inning and later scored on a groundout by Fish. Jacque Boroughs followed with an RBI double, and Wessel’s single kept the pressure on. After a sac fly from Thaise Jessup made it 5-4, Jade Hampton grounded out to end the threat. Watkins finished the night 3-for-4 with a double and two singles, while Wessel and Boroughs each added a double and a run scored. Daisy Logan also doubled in the seventh, but the Olympians couldn’t capitalize. Watkins lined into a double play to end the game with the tying run erased at second base. Fish pitched all six innings for East, working around seven hits and four walks while striking out four. Columbus East is back in action Wednesday, May 14th, when they travel to Hoosier Hills Conference opponent, the Floyd Central Highlanders.