Cavs bounce back with region win over Columbia

Published 6:46 pm Thursday, February 23, 2023

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The Callaway baseball team made short work of Columbia on Thursday as they cruised to a 14-3 region win on the roads. 

The Cavaliers did damage early, scoring four runs in the top of the first to take a commanding lead right out of the gates. Bryce Hubbard doubled to bring the first run before Luke Taylor scored on a throw to second base to make it 2-0. Slade Hunt hit a double later in the inning to bring the next two runs home.

Columbia struck back with a run in the bottom of the first, but the Cavaliers went right back to work in the top of the second to extend their lead. Luke Taylor drove in a run and then scored a run later in the inning to make it 6-1 Callaway. Taylor had an impressive offensive showing, going 2-for-2 with three runs scored, a walk and an RBI. 

The Cavaliers just kept adding to their lead, piling on four runs in the top of the fourth to take a 10-1 lead. Brantin Swanson grounded out to drive the first run of the inning home. Houston Wilson and Julian Dukes scored on an error. Wesley Williams scored on a passed ball later in the inning to put the Cavaliers on the verge of the run rule. 

Columbia was able to grab a couple of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning, but it did little to change momentum as the Cavaliers closed out the game in the top of the fifth inning with four runs. Dukes was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to make it 11-3 Callaway. Wilson scored on a passed ball before an error allowed Landon Alsobrook and Dukes to score and end the game. 

Swanson got the start on the mound and pitched three innings, allowing just one hit and one earned run on seven strikeouts. Swanson helped his cause offensively with an RBI as well. Alsobrook came in for clean up duty and pitched the final inning for the Cavaliers.  

Williams and Hunt led the team with two RBIs each on the evening. Hubbard was a cool 2-for-2 with an RBI. 

The Cavaliers showed tremendous baserunning ability and registered nine in the game. Wilson and Lashun Gates led the way with two steals apiece. 

Callaway improved to 5-2 and bounced back nicely after a narrow loss to Troup on Wednesday. After playing three games in three days, the Cavaliers will get a little bit of a break before returning to the diamond on the road to region foe Towers on Tuesday.