13 Not Columbia's Lucky Number

Nick Chinners drove in three runs with a base hit in the 3rd.

COLUMBIA- Tyler Kirkpatrick's clutch single to left field allowed the Ashboro Copperheads to end an extra-inning affair with a 6-4 win over the Columbia Blowfish Saturday night in front of 4,025 at Capital City Stadium.

Kirkpatrick drove a two-out single to left in the top of the thirteenth inning, scoring Josh Hohn and Relly Mercurio to give the Copperheads (3-1, 13-19) their final margin.

It was a long night for both teams, as the Blowfish (1-3, 10-22) used every bench player on their roster in the four hour game.

Both teams scored four runs in a wild third inning that could best be described as a comedy of errors. Kirkpatrick hit a solo home run off Columbia starter Stew Brase to lead off the inning. Brase then walked Tyler Wynn and gave up a Zachary Jordan single. Thomas Pope followed with a slow ground ball to first. Blowfish first baseman Trent Still went to field the play, but collided with Brase and dropped the ball, allowing Pope to reach safely. Still left the game at the end of the inning.

1B Trent Still is examined after colliding with Stew Brase in the 3rd.

With the bases loaded, Aaron Schulz grounded into a double play as third baseman Jason Coker threw home and catcher Branfry Arias made the relay throw to first. With two outs and runners on second and first, Craige Lyerly singled up the middle to score Jordan and Pope. Center fielder Tyler McBride overran the ball, allowing it to roll to the center field wall, and Lyerly rounded all four bases to score, giving Ashboro a 4-0 lead.

But that was only half of it. Columbia returned the favor in the bottom of the inning after Matt Williams singled and Copperheads' starter Michael Wright hit Arias with a pitch and walked Cameron White. With the bases loaded, Nick Chinners lined a base hit into left field. Jordan overran the ball in left field, causing the bases to clear and Chinners to end up at third. Jim Rider then hit an RBI single to score Chinners and tie the game 4-4.

Both bullpens were effective, allowing no runs for the next nine innings. The Ashoboro relievers did not allow a hit after the fourth inning. Columbia coach Lee Gronkiewicz used eight pitchers in the game.

In the thirteenth, Hohn doubled in his first at-bat and Blowfish reliever Robbie Wilcox intentionally walked Mercurio. After Eric Shoemaker grounded out to advance the runners to second and third with two outs, Kirkpatrick hit a shot into left field, scoring both runners in what turned out to be the game-winning hit.

Carson McLean (1-1) picked up his first win after not allowing a hit and striking out three in the game's final three innings. Robbie Wilcox (0-1) lost his first decision after giving up the two run single. Wilcox allowed two runs on two hits in two innings.

Notes: It was the third time in eight days the Blowfish played an extra inning game, they are now 2-1 in those contests... It was also the fifth consecutive Blowfish game decided by two runs or fewer. They have lost their last three... Lee Gronkiewicz is now 1-2 as head coach (0-2 in CPL action).... The Blowfish are off Sunday before continuing their homestand Monday night against the Edenton Steamers. First pitch will be at 7:05 pm.