College of the Ozarks Grinds Out 3-2 Win Over Columbia Behind Early Surge, Strong Pitching

College of the Ozarks used a three-run second inning and a strong combined pitching effort from starter G. Reynolds and reliever L. Pitcock to edge Columbia (Mo.) 3-2 in a seven-inning contest Friday at Coach Bob Smith Field.

After Columbia struck first in the top of the second, the Bobcats immediately responded with what proved to be the decisive frame. Trailing 1-0, College of the Ozarks strung together quality at-bats in the bottom half, starting with an RBI single from L. Strahan to even the score. Moments later, L. Jines came around on a throwing error to push the Bobcats in front, and T. Rush lifted a sacrifice fly to cap the three-run inning and give the home team a 3-1 lead it would not surrender.

Columbia manufactured the game’s first run in the top of the second when B. Hemmer scored on a wild pitch after N. Mullinax drew a walk, briefly putting the visitors ahead 1-0. That advantage was short-lived once the Bobcats’ offense answered in the bottom half and capitalized on a defensive miscue. From there, College of the Ozarks leaned on its pitching and clean defense — the Bobcats finished with no errors — to protect the lead.

Reynolds set the tone on the mound for College of the Ozarks, working five solid innings to earn the win. The right-hander allowed just two hits and one earned run while striking out seven and walking three on 85 pitches. Reynolds limited damage after Columbia’s early breakthrough and kept the Cougars off the board through the middle frames, giving the Bobcats’ offense room to operate.

Pitcock took over in the sixth and was tasked with navigating the late innings. Columbia trimmed the deficit to 3-2 in the top of the sixth when Hemmer drove a double to right field to score T. Renn, applying pressure with the tying run in scoring position. Pitcock settled in from there, finishing two innings of relief to earn the save. He allowed just one hit and struck out three, closing out the top of the seventh to preserve the one-run victory.

Offensively, the Bobcats finished with six hits to Columbia’s three and did not draw a walk, relying instead on timely contact. Jines led the way with a 2-for-3 performance that included a triple to right-center in the sixth, putting an insurance opportunity on base even though the score remained 3-2. Strahan added a hit, run and RBI, while Rush’s sacrifice fly in the decisive second inning provided what ultimately stood as the game-winning run.

Columbia pitcher P. Anderson was effective despite taking the loss, working five innings and allowing five hits and three runs, only one of which was earned. He did not issue a walk and struck out six on 62 pitches, but Columbia’s four errors and limited three-hit output at the plate proved costly. College of the Ozarks pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts and four walks, outdueling Columbia’s staff in a tight contest in front of 100 spectators.