Late Lead Slips Away as Columbus Drops Series Finale
SL Columbus Clingstones

Late Lead Slips Away as Columbus Drops Series Finale

Published on April 26, 2026 under Southern League (SL)
Columbus Clingstones News Release


BIRMINGHAM, AL. - The Columbus Clingstones (12-9) took a four-run lead into the bottom of the seventh, but a six-run barrage from the Birmingham Barons (9-12) turned the game around and sent Columbus to an 8-5 loss in the series finale on Sunday at Regions Field. Columbus split the series with Birmingham 3-3.

Decisive Plays: Columbus scored first on a wild pitch that brought Lizandro Espinoza across the plate in the fourth inning. A solo home run from Jacob Burke tied the game in the bottom of the fourth. With the game still tied at 1-1 entering the seventh, Columbus broke out and scored four runs in a frame that featured a two-run single from Cal Conley. Four-straight walks from Jhancarlos Lara opened the Birmingham seventh before a two-RBI single by Andy Weber and a two-run double from Adam Fogel. By the time the dust cleared, Columbus was down 7-5 and could not mount a late rally over the final two innings.

Key Contributors: Conley (1-for-4, 2 RBI), Clohisy (1-for-5, RBI) and Espinoza (2-for-4, 2B, 3B, RBI) provided the offense for Columbus while Braves' No. 6 prospect Owen Murphy (4.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 9 SO) struck out five of the first nine he faced. For Birmingham, Burke, Weber, and Fogel had multi-RBI games.

Notable: Columbus falls to 2-2 in series finales. David McCabe saw his seven-game hitting streak snapped. Murphy recorded his second game with 9+ strikeouts.

Next Game (Tuesday, April 28): Columbus vs. Montgomery, 6:05 p.m. at Synovus Park. Radio Broadcast: 5:50 p.m. on SportsVisions 92.1 FM. Stream: Bally Sports Live.

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Southern League Stories from April 26, 2026


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