Columbus East High School

COLUMBUS EAST - The Columbus East Olympian softball team struggled to generate offense on Wednesday night, falling 5-0 to Hoosier Hills Conference rival Jennings County at the Torch Yard. Despite a strong early performance from Olympian pitcher B. Fish, who struck out nine Panthers through six innings, East couldn't find an answer for Jennings County's pitcher Day, who held the Olympians scoreless and off-balance all evening. East’s bats were quiet from the start, managing just four hits in the game and never advancing a runner past second base. Jennings County’s defense was solid behind Day, and her mix of riseballs, dropballs, and off-speed pitches kept Columbus East from making solid contact throughout the game. The Panthers broke through in the fourth inning. With one out, Ward doubled to left, and Day followed with an RBI double to open the scoring. Courtesy runner Elston would later score on a fielding error, and a Treadway single extended the lead to 2-0. Jennings County added three more runs in the top of the seventh. Ward again delivered, this time with a two-run double to left that was aided by another East fielding miscue. Hack’s sacrifice fly brought Ward home to cap the scoring at 5-0. Columbus East's best chance came in the bottom of the seventh when N. Armstrong doubled with two outs, but the Panthers quickly shut the door with a groundout to end the game. With the loss, Columbus East drops another conference game, while Jennings County improves their standing in Hoosier Hills play. The Olympians will look to bounce back in their next outing as they continue their HHC schedule, playing two HHC opponents- @ Bedford North-Lawrence Friday, May 2nd & @ New Albany Tuesday, May 6th.