The Columbia Crimson Tide athletics all got off to a slow start this year but are looking to come back strong and build off what they have learned in the early part of the season.
It is still early so there is plenty of time for improvement.
It has been a rough start for the lady Crimson Tide on the diamond as they have a 1-7 record on the year.
The softball team did lose catcher Serenity Faus, pitcher Tiffany Hoffmaster, and infielder Jenna Eckerman but added a few players like Melina Mowrer, Victoria Martinez and a pair of freshman arms in Emily Waugh and Taylor Kennedy who look to make an immediate impact.
The Tide are a little young in the circle but expect them to learn quickly and look to improve on their 5-15 record and 3-13 record in Section Four last season.
The girls picked up their one very short win of the year against Lebanon Catholic on March 31st. The Crimson Tide got going early allowing one run in the top frame but answered with 21 of their own in the bottom half leading to the mercy rule being evoked.
Most recently the tide has not been going in their favor though dropping an 11-1 game Thursday night to Northern Lebanon, scoring only in the sixth inning. Emily Waugh was in the circle, recording three strikeouts. She has 14 strikeouts on the year.
Waugh shined with six strikeouts at Octorara Wednesday afternoon. Although the girls did lose the game 4-7, they battled all the way to the end. They had a chance the entire game but could not capitalize. The Tide scored single runs in the first and second innings before Octorara tied the game with two in the bottom of the third. Columbia forged ahead in the fifth with another single run but the Braves took the lead for good with a four spot in the bottom half.
The hosts out hit the Tide 11-5 and committed one less error, 4-3.
The freshman Waugh also showed her worth against Cocalico. After a rocky start, she retired eight of the next nine batters after the second inning.
Hallie McCoy showed off her skills with her arm and bat during the game as well. She went 3-3 with two bunt singles and had three stolen bags. She also had perfect relays from center field. It seems like her transition from catcher went well this year.
Waugh was solid with the bat as well as she put the Tide on the scoreboard in the third inning. Mel Rodriguez drove in Erika Mummaw in the fourth for their two runs.
Hopefully they can build off that confidence. They look to keep up the hard work and continue to gain experience.
Columbia's next game is at home against Elco on Wednesday, April 17th at 4:15pm. They currently sit fifth in the L-L League Section Four behind Pequea Valley, Lancaster Catholic, and Annville-Cleona, and are within striking distance of Lancaster Mennonite, as they are only 2-5 on the year. Lebanon Catholic is at the bottom of section currently sitting winless on the young season.
The Crimson Tide still have 10 games remaining, including nine league games to right the ship.
BASEBALL
The baseball team followed the girls lead and is also struggling this season, currently sitting at 2-6 overall while 2-5 in the league.
They picked up their two wins against Lancaster Mennonite and Lebanon Catholic beating them 15-6 and 15-0 respectively.
When they beat Lebanon Catholic at the end of March it was the first time they shut out an opponent and so far the only time this season. Zac Nikolaus and Ryan Redding are leading the way for the Tide. Nikolaus is 1-1 on the season with 12 strikeouts while Redding is 1-2 also with 12 k's on the year.
The boys are sitting fourth in the L-L league Section Four standings. They are behind Lancaster Catholic, Annville-Cleona, and Pequea Valley. Although Pequea Valley is only a game ahead of them while Lancaster Mennonite and Lebanon Catholic are below the Tide.
They boys have 12 games left overall and 10 games left in the league to make up some ground.
TRACK
Columbia's track and field team is depleted but they are still competing hard this year. Both teams are unfortunately 0-3 on the season.
The boys have dropped meets against Elco 135-10, Donegal 148-1 and to Lancaster Catholic 127-13 so there is some improvement.
Justin Elliot has a win in the high jump, clearing 5-6 as his best jump against Lancaster Catholic.
Their next meet is against Annville Cleona who is only 1-2 on the year so they could gain some ground in the standings with a win. Currently Donegal, Lancaster Catholic, Elco, and Octorara are ahead of them in the standings.
Columbia looks to move up in the standings as they do have seven more meets left with two of them being larger meets with many teams included.
Columbia's girls also have not faired very well but again are competing hard this year. They are very low in numbers so most teams have many more participants then they do.
Columbia suffered a 135-10 loss to Elco, fell 124-11 to Donegal, and dropped a 128-9 result against Lancaster Catholic.
Jordan Sabina has one win in 100 hurdles at 20.6 as her best time and another win in the long jump with a 13-10 measurement.
In the standings they are tied with Lancaster Mennonite, and Northern Lebanon with Donegal, Lancaster Catholic, and Elco leading the way tied up top. Annville-Cleona is only one win ahead of the Crimson Tide, making this an opportunity for Columbia to move up in the standings.
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