Time-Out: "Home Turf, Hot Streaks and Rising Stars"

In this week’s edition of Time-Out, we take a deep dive into the diamond, the pitch and the track, as spring continues to deliver high drama and breakout performances across the Columbus area. From dominant wins at home to crucial road stretches, local squads have been putting on a show—and nowhere was that more evident than at home for the Shaw Raiders.

There’s no place quite like Bill Glover Field when the Shaw Raiders are firing on all cylinders. After a tough road loss on April 1, the Raiders returned home with something to prove—and prove it they did. Shaw steamrolled the visiting Hardaway Hawks 13-3 in a performance that was not only dominant but symbolic of the kind of resilience this team thrives on. The Raiders improved to 15-11 on the season, winning their fourth straight at home, and it’s no coincidence: across those four victories, Shaw has averaged an eye-popping 16.3 runs per game.

At the heart of the Raiders’ resurgence was Kingston Long, who showed just how dangerous he can be both on the bump and at the plate. On the mound, Long was masterful, tossing five innings and allowing just one hit while striking out five—his highest punchout total since early March. He allowed three earned runs, but the low hit count and his ability to shut the door when it mattered underscored his poise. At the plate, Long wasn’t done. He got on base every time he stepped up, scored a run and swiped a bag, setting the tone for Shaw’s offensive explosion.

Sincere Ford turned in another head-turning performance. The speedy outfielder went 2-for-3, crossed the plate three times and added a stolen base. Shaw is 8-2 when Ford scores multiple runs—a clear barometer for their success. Right behind him was Deshaun Mays, who chipped in with a 2-for-3 day of his own, scoring twice and stealing three bases. The Raiders as a team were dialed in, finishing with a .435 batting average compared to Hardaway’s .091—a staggering gulf that told the story as well as the scoreboard did.

Looking ahead, Shaw is set to host Calvary Christian at 5:30 p.m. April 10, and the timing couldn't be better. Calvary is riding a four-game skid, and if Shaw can keep swinging the bats the way they have at home, another high-scoring win could be in the cards.

Meanwhile, Hardaway, now 12-7 after three consecutive losses, will try to right the ship at 4 p.m. April 11 against Carver.

Across town, St. Anne-Pacelli continues to build late-season momentum. The Vikings made it two straight wins with a 4-1 triumph over Stratford Academy on April 9, avenging a previous loss and inching closer to .500 at 9-11. Pitching was the name of the game, and Austin Danison led the way with a gem. Danison allowed no earned runs across five innings and now holds a 2-1 team record when he gives up two or fewer earned runs—a stat that underscores just how pivotal his outings are to the Vikings’ success.

Connor Zittrauer chipped in at the plate with a 1-for-2 effort and a run scored, while Braden Hudson added his own spark, going 1-for-3, scoring once and grabbing a base. The Vikings will hit the road April 14 to face Chattahoochee County in what could be a defining game. As for Stratford, they’ll also be away at 4 p.m. on April 11, taking on John Milledge Academy as they aim to bounce back from a loss that dropped them to 9-7.

The Columbus Blue Devils, meanwhile, bounced back in thunderous fashion following a scoreless performance the game prior. Facing Kendrick on April 4, the Blue Devils erupted for a 16-1 blowout that extended their win streak over the Cherokees to six straight. Martin Heim was lights-out, pitching two clean innings without surrendering a hit or an earned run, while also recording a career-high five strikeouts.

The bats were just as hot. Michael Nottleman was flawless at the dish, going 2-for-2 with a triple, a run and an RBI. Not to be outdone, Caden Bryans also tripled, went 1-for-1, scored and drove in a run. Columbus posted a staggering .571 team batting average and improved to 12-11 on the season. They are a perfect 8-0 when hitting .375 or better—a mark of just how dangerous they are when the offense is clicking. Kendrick, still searching for answers, is mired in a 22-game losing streak dating back to last season and now sits at 0-12.

Elsewhere, Harris County proved once again why they are one of the most consistent threats in the area. The Tigers edged Northside 5-3 on April 9, sweeping the season series and boosting their record to 20-5. Their recent surge—winning 12 of their last 14—has been driven by stellar pitching, averaging just 2.6 runs allowed during that stretch.

Jacob Eber, a model of consistency, tossed two innings without allowing a hit or a run and has now kept opponents to two hits or fewer in 14 consecutive outings. Seven different Tigers recorded a hit, with Daejeon Elder leading the way by going 3-for-4 with a run. Northside, despite the loss, remains strong at 18-6 and will look to regroup for the playoff push.

On the girls' soccer side, the Columbus Lady Blue Devils are a juggernaut in cleats. They notched their 10th straight win April 8 in emphatic fashion, shutting out Spencer 10-0. It was the eighth time this season Columbus has won by four or more goals, and they improved to 12-1 on the year. Their current road win streak stands at four, during which they've not allowed a single goal. Spencer dropped to 2-4 with the loss and will try to regroup when they face Hardaway at 6 p.m. on April 15.

Columbus has a quick turnaround and faces Veterans at 5 p.m. on April 10 in what should be a battle between two disciplined squads. Meanwhile, Harris County’s Lady Tigers also picked up steam with a 6-0 win over LaGrange. Grace Seward stole the show, netting a hat trick and helping push Harris County to 12-2 on the year. The Tigers have now won seven of their last eight, scoring 56 goals in that span. They’ll face Stratford Academy at 5:30 p.m. April 10 with both teams entering hot—Stratford is gunning for their fourth straight win, but Harris County won’t go quietly. LaGrange, now 4-11, will look to rebound on April 12 against Cairo.

Shifting gears to the middle school track circuit, it was a banner day for the sprinters. Blackmon Road’s Adriana Alexander, a sixth grader with speed to burn, claimed first in the girls’ 100 meters with a blistering 12.51. On the boys' side, Fort’s Treshawn Burris clocked an 11.89 to take first in the eighth-grade division. Fort’s 4x100 relay “A” team—featuring Eric Spencer, Kendarious Tolbert, Ja'Tavious Williams and Burris—finished first with a time of 48.47. Blackmon Road’s girls weren’t to be outdone. Their 4x100 relay “A” team, comprised of Alexander, Jordynn Jenkins, Addy Karey, and Brittany Shipp, finished first with a time of 53.23.

Finally, a heads-up to all youth football families: registration for the 2025 Columbus Youth Football & Cheer season is officially open. This year comes with an important change—participants must complete age verification through National Sports ID. There is a $15 nonrefundable fee for this process, which must be completed before taking the field or mat. The necessary link will be provided upon completing online registration, so don’t wait—secure your spot and get verified.

As spring sports reach their peak and the postseason looms near, local athletes are showing just how much pride, perseverance and passion fill the fields, courts and tracks of our community. From powerhouses to breakout stars, the action isn’t slowing down any time soon—and neither are we. Until next time, that’s your Time-Out.