by Van Williams, ALB Media Director | Yesterday
BP Invitational
Game 10: Columbia (TN) 9, Lone Peak (UT) 8
Ethan Mealer drove in the tying run and later came around to score the winning run to cap a wild five-run rally in the bottom of the seventh as Columbia kept alive its title chances in the BP Invitational at Mulcahy Stadium.
A loss would have eliminated the Tennessee team from championship contention and it looked likely as Columbia entered the final inning trailing 8-4.
But Columbia strung together five straight hits by Will McCall, Matt Joslin, Andy Hale, Dillan Saunders and Mealer. Hale hammered an RBI double and Saunders ripped a two-run triple to get within 8-7.
Mealer drilled the first pitch he saw to tie it. He advanced to second when Nathan Massey was hit by a pitch and scored when the Lone Peak shortshop misplayed JT Hamilton’s groundball to allow Mealer to score.
McCall finished 3-for-3 and led off the rally with an infield single.
Columbia improved to 2-1 in the tournament and advanced to Sunday’s semifinals.
The Utah team erased an early two-run deficit with a six-run second inning to take control. Or so it seemed.
The Misfits got two hits apiece from Trey Gambill, Karsten Hatch, Cade Walker and Tanner Nielson. They also combined for four RBIs.
Connor Thomas tripled and Ryder Christensen doubled for the Utah extra-base hits.
Utah fell to 1-1 in the tournament.
Lone Peak (UT) 061 010 0 – 8 11 2
Columbia (TN) 201 010 5 – 9 10 2