Columbia University’s baseball team lost a close contest to No. 23 West Virginia in Morgantown on Saturday, falling 9-5 after a walk-off grand slam in the bottom of the 10th inning. The loss drops Columbia to a 2-6 record for the season, while West Virginia improves to 9-3.
Columbia managed to erase an early three-run deficit and force extra innings. In the ninth inning, Ray Huke pitched out of a difficult situation, striking out Armani Guzman with two outs and two runners in scoring position to keep the game tied. However, in the tenth, Brodie Kesser hit a grand slam to left field, giving West Virginia the win and evening up the series.
Huke delivered 2.1 scoreless innings for Columbia, allowing three hits. Evan Kleinhans (1-1) took the loss after pitching in the tenth inning.
Jackson Brewer led Columbia’s offense by going 2-for-4 with two RBIs, extending his hitting streak to five games. Jack Kail and Ben Fishel each had two hits as well, helping Columbia finish with nine hits on the day.
West Virginia started their scoring in the fourth inning with an RBI single from Guzman and added another run through a double steal. They extended their lead in the fifth following a throwing error by Columbia.
Columbia responded with a four-run rally in the sixth inning that included an RBI double from Fellows and runs scored on defensive errors by West Virginia. Brewer drew a bases-loaded walk during this surge, giving Columbia its first lead of the afternoon.
West Virginia regained control with two runs in the seventh inning, but Brewer tied it again for Columbia in the eighth with an RBI double that brought home Hunter Snyder. The Lions nearly retook the lead before Jimmy Chadwell was thrown out at home plate.
In the ninth inning, Kail reached base with a leadoff single before Owen Estabrook’s deep fly ball was caught at the wall by Matthew Graveline to prevent a go-ahead home run.
The Mountaineers loaded the bases again in extra innings and sealed their victory when Kesser homered off Kleinhans.
David Perez (1-1) earned the win for West Virginia by pitching 2.1 scoreless innings and striking out two batters.
Columbia will conclude its series against West Virginia on Sunday at Wagener Field at Kendrick Family Ballpark, with first pitch scheduled for noon.
For updates on Columbia baseball, fans can follow @CULionsBaseball on X and Instagram or visit GoColumbiaLions.com.