Columbia University’s baseball team secured its first win of the season in a doubleheader against Kansas State on Friday in Manhattan, Kansas. The Lions won the opening game 9-8 before falling 2-1 in the second matchup.
In the first game, Columbia overcame an early five-run deficit with a strong offensive showing. Junior Owen Estabrook led the effort, going 2-for-4 and driving in five runs, including a two-run home run in the sixth inning. Sophomore Tate Vogler contributed two hits and two RBI, while senior Cole Fellows scored three times.
Senior Evan Kleinhans earned his first win of the season by pitching two innings in relief and allowing two runs. Junior Baylor Hicks closed out the game with a scoreless ninth inning to record his first save.
Kansas State initially took control with a two-run homer by AJ Evasco in the fourth inning and added three more runs in the fifth to lead 5-0. Columbia responded with Estabrook’s home run to cut into the deficit. The Lions then rallied for five runs in the seventh inning, highlighted by key hits from Ben Fishel, Estabrook, Anthony Temesvary, and Vogler.
Kansas State briefly regained the lead after scoring twice in their half of the seventh. However, Estabrook delivered again for Columbia with a two-run double in the eighth that put his team ahead for good.
Kansas State starter James Guyette struck out eight over five scoreless innings but did not factor into the decision. Cole Wisenbaker took the loss after giving up runs late in relief.
Freshman Lucas Jackson recorded his first career hit for Columbia during this contest.
In game two, senior Tomas Lopez pitched seven shutout innings for Columbia, allowing just three hits and striking out three batters on 100 pitches. Despite this performance, he received no decision as Kansas State rallied late.
The Lions took an early lead when Jimmy Chadwell singled home Estabrook. Lopez retired ten straight batters at one point and escaped trouble in the seventh thanks to defensive support from Estabrook.
Relief pitcher Dan Mills was charged with the loss after issuing back-to-back walks to start the eighth inning; both runners later scored on Grant Gallagher’s double for Kansas State’s go-ahead runs.
Columbia threatened to tie it up in their final at-bat but could not push across another run as Bill Eich finished off three scoreless innings of relief for Kansas State to earn the win.
Brewer led Columbia offensively in game two with three hits out of five at-bats.
The teams will play again on Saturday afternoon to decide the series winner. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
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