Columbus Secures Series Sweep Against Gwinnett

by Bryce Koon

COLUMBUS, GA.- After a rainout on Friday, the Columbus Chatt-a-Hoots (8-10) treated the Golden Park crowd to a series sweep over the Gwinnett Astros (10-9). 

Game One: 

Before the rain hit on Friday, the Hoots and Astros were set to face off. The fireworks started early as Gwinnett struck first with a run in the top of the first, coupled with several ejections of Hoots coaches. The lead would not last long, however as Columbus tied it up in the bottom half. In the bottom of the second, Columbus’s offense exploded for five runs to take control of the game.

After Friday night’s stoppage, the Hoots picked up where they left off on Saturday leading 6-1 in the bottom of the second. Solid pitching came form Columbus, as Gwinnett crept closer to the lead. However, two solo home runs (Matt McDade and Cole Mathis) were the difference as Ryan Middleton nailed down the save to secure the 8-6 victory. 

Game Two: 

The second game of the doubleheader was much different than the first, as a pitching duel was in full effect. 

Columbus struck first in the bottom of the first inning, as Jesse Donohoe’s RBI double brought home Cole Mathis to give the Hoots a 1-0 lead. 

The pitchers would settle in as Hoots starter Trent Hodgdon shut down a potent Astros offense, striking out seven. Gwinnett was finally able to get to Hodgdon in the fourth, pushing across two runs to take the lead.

Columbus would tie the game in the bottom of the fifth off an Ellis Yohn RBI single that brought in Charles Crawford. 

With the game just being seven innings long, the Chatt-a-Hoots scored the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth inning as Zac Rice scored on a single from Cameron Gray. 

The Hoots pitching staff combined to strike out 16 batters, while allowing just two hits as Slade James shut the door on the Astros. 

Up Next: 

The SBL All-Star Game will take place on Wednesday, July 14th, at Golden Park. The roster is still TBA. The Chatt-a-Hoots will be back in action next Friday night at Golden Park, as they host the Atlanta Crackers in a pivotal two-game series.