Columbus Rides Four-Run Third Inning to 5-2 Win
SL Columbus Clingstones

Columbus Rides Four-Run Third Inning to 5-2 Win

Published on August 28, 2025 under Southern League (SL)
Columbus Clingstones News Release


HUNTSVILLE, AL., - The Columbus Clingstones (27-27, 53-67) broke out for a four-run third inning that proved to be enough as Ian Mejia stifled the Rocket City Trash Pandas (18-36) over seven strong innings to send Columbus to a 5-2 win on Thursday night at Toyota Field.

Decisive Plays: An RBI single from Josh Crouch in the second inning gave Rocket City a 1-0 lead. Columbus responded with a four-run third inning, spurred by a two-run single from Adam Zebrowski and a two-run double from E.J. Exposito. Columbus added to its lead with an RBI double from Kevin Kilpatrick Jr. in the fifth inning. An RBI single from David Mershon made it 5-2 in the home half, but solid relief pitching from Columbus kept the Pandas' bats quiet the rest of the way.

Key Contributors: Mejia (Win, 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 9 SO) recorded a season-high nine strikeouts to lead the Clingstones while Exposito (3-for-5, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI) and Zebrowski (1-for-5, 2 RBI) delivered on offense. For Rocket City, Mershon (2-for-4, 2B, RBI) and Crouch (1-for-2, RBI) drove in the runs.

Notable: Mejia becomes the first Braves' Double-A pitcher to win 12 games in a season since Todd Redmond won 13 with Mississippi in 2008. Exposito extended his multi-hit streak to five games, tying Patrick Clohisy for the longest stretch on the club this season. Kilpatrick Jr. pushed his on-base streak to 26 games, tied for the third-longest stretch in the Southern League this season.

Next Game (Friday, August 29): Columbus at Rocket City 7:35 pm ET at Toyota Field. RHP Landon Harper (3-7, 3.81 ERA) will start for Columbus opposed by RHP George Klassen (4-11, 6.09 ERA) for Rocket City. Radio Broadcast: 7:20 pm ET on Sports Visions 92.1 FM.

Next Home Game (Tuesday, September 2): Columbus vs. Montgomery, 7:05 pm ET at Synovus Park. Radio Broadcast: 6:50 pm ET on Sports Visions 92.1 FM.

Check out the Columbus Clingstones Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



Southern League Stories from August 28, 2025


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central