Columbia and Buchholz are an even 5-5 against one another since March of 2017, but likely not for long. The Columbia Tigers will face off against the Buchholz Bobcats at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. Both come into the matchup bolstered by wins in their previous matches.
Columbia took a loss when they played away from home on Tuesday, but their home fans gave them all the motivation they needed on Wednesday. They had just enough and edged Florida State University High School out 7-5.
Bynton Edge and Colton Mote made a splash no matter where they played. On the mound, Edge didn't allow a single earned run over four innings pitched. Meanwhile, Mote pitched two innings while giving up no earned runs off two hits. Furthermore, Edge didn't allow a single earned run, the first time he has blanked an opponent since back in March of 2024. At the plate, 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. Those three stolen bases gave Mote a new career-high.
Trayce McKenzie
| 02/12/25 vs Florida State University High School | 3 |
| 05/02/24 vs Lincoln | 2 |
| 04/09/24 @ Santa Fe | 2 |
| 02/11/25 @ West Nassau | 1 |
| 03/15/24 @ Flagler Palm Coast | 1 |
In other batting news, Trayce McKenzie was excellent, scoring a run and stealing three bases while going 1-for-3. The dominant performance gave him a new career-high in stolen bases.
Meanwhile, Buchholz got the win against Fleming Island on Tuesday by a conclusive 13-1. The win continues a trend for the Bobcats in their matchups with the Golden Eagles: they've now won six in a row.
Like Columbia, Buchholz also got a great game from a two-way player: Aidan Kastensmidt. He didn't allow a single earned run and only a hit while striking out nine over four innings pitched. Kastensmidt 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.
In other pitching news, Dion Wilborn looked comfortable as he tossed one inning while giving up no earned runs or hits.
Back at the plate, Buchholz let Cedaris Smith and Blake Brewer loose on the outfield. 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. 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.
Columbia came out on top in a nail-biter against Buchholz in their previous meeting back in April of 2024, sneaking past 11-10. The rematch might be a little tougher for Columbia since the team won't have the home-field advantage this time around. We'll see if the change in venue makes a difference.
