Tiffin - In a high-stakes battle of momentum, the Columbian JV Baseball squad outlasted Perkins on Friday, clinching an 8-6 victory in a game defined by clutch hitting and aggressive baserunning. While the opposition struck first, the Tornadoes proved resilient, manufacturing runs in the late innings to secure the win.

The home team’s comeback began in earnest during the fourth inning, sparked by a daring display of speed from Blake Tucker, who stole home to knot the game at three. Columbian briefly surged ahead in the fifth behind a Kyle Hepp groundout and a Tucker RBI single, but the lead was short-lived as the game was tied again heading into the final frames.

The bottom of the sixth proved to be the decisive sequence for the Tornadoes. Showing discipline at the plate under pressure, the boys reclaimed the lead when Ayden Yoshimoto and Kyle Hepp were both hit by pitches with the bases loaded. Blake Rhodes added critical insurance with an RBI single to left field, pushing the lead to 8-5.

Hepp started on the mound for the JV squad, battling through five and two-thirds innings. The right-hander surrendered nine hits and three earned runs while striking out four before handing the ball to Max Hoyda in relief.

Offensively, Rhodes and Tucker anchored the lineup with two hits apiece. Rhodes finished the day 2-for-4 with a team-high three RBIs, while Tucker’s two stolen bases kept constant pressure on the defense throughout the afternoon.

The victory moves the Tornadoes into the weekend with momentum as they prepare to travel to Edison for their next game on Saturday.