COLUMBUS – Columbus East scored six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to stun Bedford North Lawrence 6-5 during high school baseball action on Wednesday night.
The Olympians (5-11) took advantage of three walks and three hit batters during their late rally, then scored the winning runs on Evan Balzer’s bases-loaded infield single against BNL reliever Cam Gates.
“It was tough,” BNL coach Jeff Callahan said. “Walker (Ward) pitched great, but he got to the pitch limit we wanted to reach. I would take 5-0 going to the bottom of the seventh every time.”
The Stars (8-5) owned a 5-0 lead as Ward pitched six outstanding innings, striking out eight while allowing only two hits and throwing 102 pitches. Cal Gates came on in relief and got only one out before departing.
BNL scored twice in the third when Trace Rynders reached on an infield single, Gates dropped a bunt single, and both scored when Maddox Ray’s bunt was misplayed. The Stars added two more in the fourth when Cade Mungle singled, Tate Tanksley walked, and Rynders reached on an error. Gates reached on a fielder’s choice to drive in a run, and Ray followed with a RBI single.
The Stars added another run in the sixth on a two-out RBI single from Kline Woodward.
Ray had three hits for BNL. Jackson Watson had two of East’s four hits.
“As a coach, we needed a better plan in seventh,” Callahan said. “We need to bounce back. Good or bad, in baseball you don’t have time to sit around and pat yourself on the back for a big win, or get down about tough losses.”
BNL will visit Martinsville on Friday.
