MIDWAY, Ky. — The IU Columbus baseball team dropped a three-game River States Conference series to Midway University this week, battling through a tight series opener before struggling to contain the Eagles' offense in the final two games. The Crimson Pride now sit at 9-34 overall and 2-19 in RSC play with just one week left in the season.
Game #1: Midway 6, IU Columbus 5
The series opener saw IU Columbus put up a resilient effort in one of their most competitive outings of the season, but a pair of late Midway rallies ultimately edged the Crimson Pride, 6-5.
Sophomore Jack VonDielingen drove in an early run and pitched the final two innings in relief, taking the loss after Midway capitalized on a defensive miscue in the seventh. Gavin Haltom started on the mound and delivered a gritty 5.2-inning outing, allowing four earned runs while striking out three.
Offensively, IU Columbus was aggressive on the bases, swiping four total bags, led by Ethan Guire, Wyatt Sutton (2) , and Cyrus Robinson. Guire also added a sacrifice fly RBI, and Lucas Slager, McNulty, and VonDielingen chipped in key hits.
Despite a late run on a wild pitch in the ninth, the Crimson Pride couldn't complete the comeback.
Game #2: Midway 12, IU Columbus 2 (7 Innings)
IU Columbus struggled to find rhythm in Friday's opener as Midway pulled away late, scoring nine runs between the sixth and seventh innings in a 12-2 mercy-rule victory.
Junior Caleb Richards pitched into the sixth but was tagged for seven runs (five earned) on nine hits, while the bullpen couldn't stop the bleeding. The Crimson Pride committed two errors that led to multiple unearned runs.
Johnny Sewell tried to spark a fifth-inning rally with a double and came around to score on a sacrifice fly from Wyatt Sutton. IU Columbus added another run in the inning, making it 2-3, but the Crimson Pride offense couldn't keep up with Midway's firepower, highlighted by home runs from Grant Stone, Britten Robinson, and Eli Glasscock.
Game #3: Midway 11, IU Columbus 2
The series finale mirrored game two, with Midway again piling on late to take a decisive 11-2 win. The Crimson Pride showed early life, tying the game in the second on a Lucas Slager RBI single, but the Eagles responded with 10 unanswered runs.
Cyrus Robinson had a standout performance, going 2-for-3 with a double and a run scored. Sophomore Karter Simmons added an RBI pinch-hit single in the seventh, scoring Johnny Sewell.
Starter Brayden Furnish pitched four innings, allowing four earned runs on five hits, but wild pitches and hit batters helped Midway extend their lead. Three relievers combined to allow six more runs.
Midway's consistent production up and down the lineup proved too much, as they homered twice and executed small ball effectively, finishing the series with 29 total runs.
Looking Ahead
Despite the tough series, IU Columbus found bright spots in the continued development of its young roster. Multiple underclassmen contributed offensively and on the mound.
The Crimson Pride will look to close out their season this week with a mid-week non-conference battle and an RSC match-up this weekend. They return to action Tuesday (Apr. 22) at Huntington University for a single 9 inning game. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:30 PM.
