Joseph Whitaker pitches for Richland Post 6. Despite outhitting the visiting Richland Post 6 Pathfinders 12- 6, Columbia Northeast fell 8- 7 in American Legion baseball play Friday, May 30 at Spring Valley High School.

Columbia Northeast started the scoring in the bottom half of the first inning with two straight singles from Rick Davis and Blaine Walker. Dwayne Addy reached on an error, which was followed by an RBI single from Will Taylor. A sacrifice fly from Colby Edwards gave Columbia NE a 3- 0 lead.

The Pathfinders responded in the second inning when Doug Allen reached on a walk, then advanced to second on a wild pitch. Mo Holler followed with another walk, then Chris Daniels' double to left field scored Allen. Justin Strauss reached on an error that scored Holler. Chandler Knox then drove in Strauss with an RBI single to give Richland a 4- 3 lead.

Columbia NE tied the game in the third with an RBI single from Andrew Hill that scored Edwards.

The Pathfinders would bounce right back after Knox scored on double from Jay Wilson in the fourth inning.

Photos by David Martin Will Taylor pitches for Columbia Northeast. Columbia NE threatened in the fourth, but Alston James' unassisted double play ended the inning.

Richland took an 8- 4 lead with three runs in the top of the fifth inning. Kyle Strasburger and Kirk Sims led off with back- to- back singles, and Holler reached on an error. All three reached home.

Columbia NE inched back into the game with a run each in the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings, but were shut down in the final two innings by Richland reliever Joseph O'Steen. O'Steen took over for Joseph Whitaker in the fifth inning.

Whitaker pitched 4- 1/3 innings allowing five runs and eight hits. He struck out one and earned the win. O'Steen got the save allowing four hits and two runs. He struck out five. Knox led Richland going 2- for- 3 from the plate. He drove in a run and scored one.

Will Taylor pitched 4- 1/3 innings for Columbia NE allowing eight runs on five hits. Chris Chrisotono relieved Taylor in the fifth retiring two Richland hitters, then Hill pitched the final four innings. He allowed just one hit, no runs, and struck out three.

Richland shortstop Alston James gathers a throw as Columbia Northeast's Colby Edwards slides into second base. Davis led Columbia NE going 3- for- 6 with two runs scored. Hill went 2- for- 3 from the plate with two RBI and a run scored.