OFFICIAL SITE OF THE
CHATTAHOOCHEE MONSTERS
Playing at Golden Park in Columbus, GA
Monsters Baseball
MONSTERS DROP HEARTBREAKER TO HOOTS IN 11
COLUMBUS, GA - The Columbus Chatt-a-Hoots had to rally from a five-run first inning deficit to beat the Chattahoochee Monsters 10-8 in the 11th inning on Wednesday night at Golden Park.
The Monsters got off to a flying start, scoring five runs in the first inning of the game. The Hoots would battle back with four runs in the fifth and another in the sixth to tie the game, but the Monsters scored again in the bottom of the sixth to retake the lead.
Columbus managed to tie the game with a run in the ninth, forcing extra innings. Both teams would score one run each in the tenth, setting the stage for the dramatic finish.
In the top of the 11th, the Hoots got a leadoff single from Sean Darnell. Then Conner O’Neal took an 0-1 pitch to deep right field for a two-run homer to put the Hoots ahead for good. Columbus would add one more before the end of the inning, and the Monsters could only score once in the home half of the frame.
The win gives the Hoots its sixth straight win and keeps them just behind the idle Gainesville Gol’Diggers for first place in the SunBelt Baseball League.
This loss comes on the heels of another heartbreaker Monday to Columbus by a 9-8 score. The Hoots rallied with two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning for the victory.
Trailing 2-0 going into the top of the third, the Monsters put up four runs and kept padding the total every time the Hoots managed to get close for the next several innings. The Monsters held an 8-7 lead going into the bottom of the eighth.
It was there the Hoots rallied. Jonathan Manibusen hit an infield single to short, followed by a walk to Ellis Yohn to put men on first and second. Then a passed ball moved both up 90 feet, setting the stage for Jake Courville. With two outs, Courville took a 1-1 pitch to left field, scoring both runners and providing the Hoots with its margin of victory.
The top of the ninth was not without drama as the Monsters would load the bases on a single and two walks, but around the base runners Ashton Shakleford managed to strike out three hitters including Jonathan Williams to end the game and earn the save.
Columbus will now host the Atlanta Blues for a pair of games on Friday and Saturday night. First pitch is at 7:05 pm for both games. Chattahoochee will play a Sunday 2:05 doubleheader against the Waleska Wild Things. Tickets are on sale now via the team web sites or by calling (706) 507-4625.