Buchholz and Columbia are an even 5-5 against one another since March of 2017, but likely not for long. The Buchholz Bobcats will look to take advantage of their home field for the first time this season as they take on the Columbia Tigers at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Both come into the matchup bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Buchholz is coming home in high spirits after they had to open their season on the road against Fleming Island. Everything went Buchholz's way against Fleming Island on Tuesday as Buchholz made off with a 13-1 victory. The Bobcats haven't had any issues with the Golden Eagles recently, as the game was their sixth consecutive win against them.
Aidan Kastensmidt
| 02/11/25 @ Fleming Island | 4 |
| 04/25/24 vs Mandarin | 3 |
| 04/18/24 @ Fleming Island | 3 |
| 04/02/24 vs Columbia | 3 |
| 03/19/24 @ Forest | 3 |
Aidan Kastensmidt made a big impact no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and only a hit while striking out nine over four innings pitched. That's the fewest hits he has allowed since back in April of 2024. He was also stellar in the batter's box, getting on base in four of his five plate appearances with four RBI, one triple, and one run. The dominant performance gave him a new career-high in RBI.
In other pitching news, Dion Wilborn looked comfortable as he pitched one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits.
Back at the plate, Cedaris Smith and Blake Brewer did most of the damage at the plate: Smith scored three runs and stole a base while going 2-for-4, while Brewer scored two runs and stole a base while going 1-for-3. That's the most runs Smith has posted since back in April of 2024. Hudson Sapp was another key player, scoring a run and stealing a base while going 2-for-4.
Buchholz always had someone on base and finished the game having posted an OBP of .558. They easily outclassed their opponents in that department as Fleming Island only posted an OBP of .323.
Meanwhile, Columbia sure made it a nail-biter, but they managed to escape with a 7-5 victory over Florida State University High School on Wednesday.
Like Buchholz, Columbia also got a great game from a two-way player: Bynton Edge. Throwing, Edge didn't allow a single earned run over four innings pitched. Meanwhile, Colton Mote tossed two innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. At bat, Edge got on base in two of his four plate appearances with two stolen bases and one RBI, while Mote scored a run and stole three bases while getting on base in three of his four plate appearances.
In other batting news, Trayce McKenzie was excellent, scoring a run and stealing three bases while going 1-for-3.
