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The Columbus Junior All-Star softball team have won the State Championship and is now currently 4-0 in pool play at the Southwest Regional Tournament in New Mexico.
Columbus took on the hosting New Mexico team twice and the Texas West team twice and they won all four games by a collective score of 60-4.
Vs. New Mexico, 23-0, W, 18-0, W In their first game Columbus defeated New Mexico 23-0 to set the tone for the rest of their games. Columbus’ potent offense coupled with their unwavering defense guided them to a monster shutout win.
By the end of the first Columbus was up 8-0 and scored seven more runs in the second in-ning to hold a 15-0 lead going into the third inning. In the third and fourth inning Columbus scored four runs each to reach a final score of 23-0.
Offensively Columbus was led by Emma Beauchamp and Paelyn Etzler, who hit home runs on their way to a win. Kaylea McCarthy, Lila Berger and Taitlyn Mican all hit triples, and Berk-ley Anderson, Cambry Barten, Chloe Grahmann and Hattie Post all hit doubles.
Etzler and Barten were in the circle, and they pitched all four innings striking out eight bat-ters.
In their second game against New Mexico, Columbus once again dominated and posted another shutout. In their second game Columbus came away with a 18-0 victory over New Mexico.
Columbus scored 10 runs in the first inning, three runs in the second inning, two runs in the third inning and then three runs in the fourth to reach the final score of 18-0.
Offensively Emma Beauchamp hit another home run for Columbus while Taitlyn Mican hit another triple. Andie Melnar, Cambry Barten, Kaylea McCarthy and Taitlyn Mican all hit doubles on their way to victory.
Etzler and Barten were back in the circle for Columbus, and they pitched all four innings striking out four batters.
Vs. Texas West, 8-3, W, 11-1, W In their first game against Texas West, Columbus held a 5-0 lead going into the fourth in-ning. They extended their lead by three runs in the top of the fifth inning, and then Texas West scored their only three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Berkley Anderson and Hattie Post both hit a double while Beauchamp’s bat stayed red hot with yet another homerun. Anderson was also in the circle along with Etzler, and they pitched all seven innings and recorded six strikeouts.
In game two against Texas West, Columbus once again held a 5-0 lead going into the fourth inning. Columbus scored five runs in the fourth inning to hold a 10-0 lead before Texas West scored their only run of the game, and Columbus scored one run in the fifth inning.
Kaylea McCarthy hit two home runs against Texas West, while Beauchamp hit a triple and a double, and Trinity Hopkins hit a double. Anderson was the lone pitcher against Texas West in game two, and she pitched all five innings giving up one run on four hits while striking out three batters.
Columbus now enters bracket play where if they keep winning, they can earn a spot in the Little League World Series.
