Columbus East High School

The Columbus East baseball team came up just short in a tightly contested Hoosier Hills Conference matchup Monday night, falling 3-2 to host New Albany in walk-off fashion. The Olympians got a strong outing on the mound from junior Ryker Stott, who went 6.2 innings and allowed just four hits and two earned runs while striking out four. Despite his gritty performance, New Albany was able to push across the winning run in the bottom of the seventh. Columbus East’s offense was limited to just two hits on the evening, but they made them count. Sophomore JD Rotert delivered a double and came around to score, while sophomore Aiden Bumbalough chipped in with a single and an RBI. Sophomore Emmitt Harden also scored a run and swiped two bases. The Olympians broke through with two runs in the top of the fourth to erase a 2-0 deficit, but couldn’t plate another run against Bulldog starter Sean Rose, who struck out eight in a complete-game effort. East played a clean game defensively, committing just one error and turning a double play behind Stott’s efficient outing. The Olympians return to action tonight(weather pending) as they travel to face the East Central Trojans. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.