Findlay - The Columbian Junior Varsity Tornadoes suffered a heartbreaking 3-2 loss on Tuesday, falling to Findlay on a walk-off inside-the-park home run in the final play of the game. Despite the tough finish, Columbian displayed a resilient spirit, battling back late to give themselves a chance at victory.

After falling behind early in the first and second innings, the Tornadoes' pitching and defense kept the game within reach. Blake Rhodes delivered a stellar performance on the mound, carrying the team through six and two-thirds innings. Rhodes surrendered only two earned runs and struck out six batters, consistently working his way out of jams to keep the Tornadoes in the hunt.

The Columbian offense finally broke through in the top of the seventh inning. Facing a two-run deficit, the Tornadoes tied the game in dramatic fashion. Connor Donaldson sparked the rally with an RBI single, and a well-timed hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded allowed the tying run to cross the plate.

In addition to his work on the hill, Rhodes contributed a hit at the plate. He was joined in the hit column by Donaldson, Russel Fox, and Mathis Keifer. Ayden Yoshimoto and Donaldson were responsible for the team’s two RBIs, showcasing the Tornadoes' ability to produce under pressure in the final frame.

While the walk-off loss was a tough pill to swallow, the JV squad will have a quick opportunity to bounce back. The Tornadoes hit the road again tomorrow, traveling to Bellevue for a Wednesday afternoon matchup.