Columbus East High School

FLOYD CENTRAL H.S. — The Columbus East softball team opened strong against Class 4A No. 7 Floyd Central on Wednesday night, grabbing an early lead and going pitch for pitch in a competitive Hoosier Hills Conference matchup. But the Highlanders responded with steady offense and strong pitching to hand the Olympians a 5-1 defeat. East wasted no time in the top of the first. Lola Watkins roped a leadoff double to center, and after two quick outs, Jacque Boroughs delivered a two-out RBI single to right to give the Olympians a 1-0 lead. CEHS Pitcher Baleigh Fish worked out of early jams and held Floyd Central scoreless through the first two innings. But the home team broke through in the bottom of the third with a game-tying RBI double following a leadoff walk. Floyd Central added two more runs in the fourth inning. A double and a pair of walks set up an RBI infield single, and a sacrifice fly later in the frame gave the Highlanders a 3-1 advantage. East threatened again in the fifth when Watkins reached on an error and advanced a runner to second, but couldn’t push another run across. Floyd Central’s pitching duo combined for 15 strikeouts and limited the Olympians to four hits. In the bottom of the sixth, the Highlanders tacked on two more runs with a two-run homer to left field, extending the lead to 5-1 and putting the game out of reach. Offensively, East was led by Watkins with a double and a run scored, while Boroughs collected an RBI single. Fish pitched a complete game, working around multiple walks while striking out six. Despite the loss, Columbus East showed grit against one of the state’s top-ranked teams! Key Stats: Lola Watkins: 1-for-4, double, run Jacque Boroughs: 1-for-3, RBI Baleigh Fish: CG, 5 ER, 6 H, 9 BB, 6 K The Olympians return to action tonight when they face Avon High School at The Torch Yard. First pitch: 6 p.m.