Columbus East High School

COLUMBUS — For five strong innings on Monday night at Olympian Field, the Columbus East softball team controlled the tempo and looked poised for a signature win in their crosstown showdown with Columbus North. However, a late-game surge from the visiting Bulldogs erased that early momentum, as East fell 12-4 in a game that saw both teams deliver big swings and pivotal moments. The Olympians (4-3) struck first, plating two runs in the bottom of the third. Ariel Darnell crossed the plate on a groundout, and moments later, Baleigh Fish lined a double into the outfield, driving in Lola Watkins to extend the early lead to 2-0. East maintained that advantage into the fifth, where they pushed their lead to 3-1 following another Watkins run — this time scoring on a wild pitch after reaching base with a double. Fish delivered both at the plate and in the circle, limiting North’s hitters through three-plus innings of work. After being moved to first base in the fourth inning, East turned to Jacque Boroughs in relief. The Bulldogs would later capitalize, stringing together hits in the sixth inning that proved to be the difference. Taylor Wessel blasted a solo home run to center in the bottom of the sixth to cut into the North lead and provide a spark for the home side late in the contest. Watkins continued her strong night at the plate, finishing 2-for-4 and contributing defensively by throwing out a runner at home from center field. While the Olympians were ultimately outpaced by a potent North offense that rallied for 11 runs in the top of the sixth, East’s performance through the early innings demonstrated the team’s potential and competitive edge. The combination of timely hitting, smart base running, and sharp defensive plays kept them in command before the late-game shift. Columbus East will look to bounce back quickly, as they face a series of road games: @ Lawrence Central H.S. on Wednesday night(4/23), @ Seymour H.S. Thursday night, @ Shelbyville H.S. Friday night, and a double-header matchup @ Franklin Community H.S. on Saturday. WOW! Good luck Olympians!!