No.1 Columbus North Downs Rival Columbus East in Top 10 Matchup

For the second time this season, 4A #1 Columbus North faced off with rival and #9 Columbus East for bragging rights across the city. The first affair saw North walking away with a W on the bat of 2015 Purdue commit Brice McDaniel and the arm of 2017 RHP Nathan VanDeventer who tossed a complete game. 

2015 Northern Illinois commit Will Anderson threw that first game and got a chance at redemption on this night. The big 6'8 righty impressed with a fastball that sat 87-89 touching 91 twice with good run and a breaking ball that he was able to keep down with good depth. 

The other dugout went with 2015 Indiana State commit Cody Burton who was able to command the strike zone tossing 19 first pitch strikes and dismissing 8 hitters with a fastball at 84-85 and breaking ball at 67-69. 

But while the pitchers performed well, it was hitters putting points on the board with Columbus North striking first. The top of the first saw the Bull Dogs with runners on second and third. A double steal of home with two outs was spoiled at the plate on a close call to end the inning. 

An inning later 2016 Ohio State commit Collin Lollar drove a double down the left field line and was moved to third on a bunt by sophomore second baseman Cooper Trinkle. Lollar scored on a passed ball giving the Bull Dogs a run advantage over East. Unsigned Senior Jake Cox who reached on a walk later scored on an infield error. 

The two run lead improved to four as 2015 Louisville commit Devin Mann doubled to deep left grabbing an RBI in the fifth scoring young outfielder Tyler Finke who had an RBI and double of his own in the sixth. 

The Olympians were able to break out in the bottom of the seventh on a towering homerun by first baseman Connor Roberts. The center field blast got the bats going and brought life to the hitters from East. 2016 outfielder Kyle Weiss doubled and scored on a double by Joey Back. 2018 SS Josh Major followed with a single. 

But the bats were too little too late. VanDeventer came in to close the game throwing 2/3 of an inning and picking up the save. Columbus North picked up their second win of the season against city foe Columbus East and upped their record to 18-1. The Olympians move to 9-6 on the year.

North  0 2 0 0 1 1 0   4  6  0

East   0 0 0 0 0 0 2   2  7  1