Cougars Survive Elimination, Reach 40-Win Plateau For First Time Ever

Williamsburg, Kentucky – The Columbia College baseball team survived elimination tonight as they defeated the Eagles of Reinhardt University 9-6 to stay alive in the NAIA Opening Round. 

Columbia scored first as Braden DeSonia hit a home run to right field in the bottom of the first. Reinhardt found the scoreboard in the third and took a 3-1 lead. In a scoring position in the third, Braden DeSonia scored on a wild pitch to cut the Eagles’ lead to one, 2-3. 

In the fourth, Columbia found its stride as Riley Poulton, Indy Stanley, and Tyler Renn all hit back-to-back-to-back home runs to put the Cougars ahead 7-3. Then, in the sixth, Braden DeSonia added to his count with another home run, making the Cougars’ lead 8-3. 

Reinhardt looked to make a come back as they would score three runs in the eighth to trail 6-8. Tyler Renn hit a single for an RBI in the eighth, extending the lead to 9-6. 

Jake Deakins went to work in the top of the ninth as the first recorded out was a ground out. With two runners on base, Deakins struck out the final two batters to end the game. 

With the win, the Cougars have reached the 40-win mark for the first time in program history. They advance to take on #6 Cumberlands tomorrow in the bracket championship game where they will need to win against Cumberlands twice to claim the title. First pitch is set for 11:00AM (CST). 

Stat Tracker:

• Braden DeSonia almost had a cycle as he hit a single, a double, and two home runs
• Indy Stanley, Tyler Renn, and Riley Poulton all hit home runs
• Indy Stanley led the team with three RBI, while Braden DeSonia and Tyler Renn followed with two RBI each
• Dan Fick earned the win as he collected seven strike outs through 7.0 IP