Columbus is a perfect 4-0 against Spencer since March of 2022 and they'll have a chance to extend that dominance on Friday. The Blue Devils will face off against the Greenwave at 5:30 p.m. Columbus is strutting in with some hitting muscle as they've averaged 7.7 runs per game this season.
Columbus is probably headed into the matchup with a chip on their shoulder considering Central just ended the team's seven-game winning streak on Wednesday. They took a 9-4 hit to the loss column at the hands of the Red Devils.
Michael Nottleman
| 03/11/26 vs Central | 1 |
| 03/06/26 vs Shaw | 1 |
| 03/02/26 vs Taylor County | 1 |
| 02/23/26 vs Russell County | 1 |
Michael Nottleman put in work no matter where he played. He looked comfortable on the mound, not allowing a single earned run and allowing only two hits while striking out 12 over four innings pitched. He has been consistent: he hasn't tossed less than seven strikeouts in six consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, going 1-for-4 with one home run and two RBI. He is becoming a predictor of Columbus' success: when he posts at least one home run the team is 3-1 (and 5-6 when he doesn't).
Nottleman wasn't the only one making solid contact as seven players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was Ren Smith, who went 1-for-5 with one home run.
Spencer never got on the board in their matchup last Tuesday, but that sure wasn't the case in their game against Kendrick last Friday. They blew past the Cherokees 18-3. The Greenwave's hitters stepped up their game for this one, as that was the most runs they've scored all season.
Like Columbus, Spencer also got a great game from a two-way player: Oliver Arreola. On the mound, he pitched 2.1 innings while giving up no earned runs off one hit. Arreola was also big at the plate, going 2-for-3 with three stolen bases and one RBI. Those hits marked the first that he has got this season.
In other batting news, the team relied heavily on Amauri Couch, who went 3-for-4 with four stolen bases, three runs, and three RBI. Those RBI were his first of the season. Carlos Calcano was another key player, going a perfect 1-for-1 with three stolen bases, two runs, and two RBI.
Spencer was getting hits left and right and finished the game having posted a batting average of .591. The last time their batting average was this high was was before the start of last season.
Columbus' record is now 8-7. As for Spencer, their victory (their first of the season) made their record 1-3.
The pitchers for both teams better look sharp on Friday as neither team is afraid to steal. Columbus has been swiping bases left and right this season, having averaged 3.2 stolen bases per game. However, it's not like Spencer struggles in that department as they've been averaging 8 stolen bases. The only question left is which team can snag more.
Columbus got the 'W' in their previous meeting back in April of 2025 against Spencer by a conclusive 13-0 score. Do the Blue Devils have another victory up their sleeve, or will the Greenwave turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
