Home Runs, Heart, and Hope: A special Night in Columbus

• Eric Hartman: 3-5, HR, 2B, 2R

• Adam Zebrowski: 3-5, 2HR, 2B, 3R, 4RBI

• Braden Scott: 6 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 7 K

When an unstoppable force meets an immovable object, you never really know what’s going to happen. That has certainly been the case throughout this series between the Columbus Clingstones and Montgomery. These two offenses have been trading blows all week, going back and forth in the win column while battling for second place in the division. And if there’s one thing this series hasn’t been short on, it’s fireworks. With all the runs being scored, flashy defensive plays, and big-name prospects on the field, you would think the baseball itself would be the biggest story of the night.

But on Saturday, it wasn’t. Columbus, like many minor league teams, has specialty jersey nights throughout the season. The players wear themed jerseys, and fans have the opportunity to bid on them during the game, with the money going toward a specific charity. Saturday night’s game was without a doubt one of the biggest—and most meaningful—nights Columbus has had all season.

It was CURE Childhood Cancer Night. CURE Childhood Cancer does more than raise money for research. The organization also works directly with families facing a childhood cancer diagnosis, providing things like meals, counseling, and financial assistance during what can be one of the most difficult times a family can ever experience. That made Saturday night about much more than baseball.

It was an emotional night, and it added an entirely different meaning to an already highly anticipated matchup between two very good teams. The atmosphere was special from the moment fans started filling the ballpark, and once the pregame festivities ended, the Clingstones gave everyone in the stands plenty of reasons to stay glued to their seats. And they did it quickly.

Hartman Gets the Fireworks Started

In the bottom of the first inning, Eric Hartman, the Braves’ No. 1 overall prospect, gave the Columbus crowd something to cheer about when he launched his first Double-A home run. And it was a no-doubter. Hartman may not have known exactly how far that ball was going to travel when he made contact, but one thing was certain—it wasn’t staying inside the ballpark. The blast immediately put Columbus on the board and set the tone for what would become an offensive beatdown against Montgomery. And the Clingstones were just getting started.

In the second inning, Carson Taylor drew a walk before Adam Zebrowski doubled, putting two runners in scoring position. Luke Waddell then stepped up and doubled to bring both runners home, pushing the Columbus lead to 3-0. The offense kept rolling.

In the fourth inning, Zebrowski got ahold of another baseball, and I’m pretty sure it may have crossed the state line. Wherever that ball is now, I’m willing to bet it isn’t anywhere near the same zip code as Columbus. But Zebrowski wasn’t the only one looking to put on a show. Waddell wanted in on the action, too. He launched a home run that found its way onto the top of the team clubhouse, giving Columbus another huge offensive moment and continuing what was quickly becoming a special night at the ballpark.

The Clingstones Keep Pouring It On

The sixth inning brought even more scoring, but this time the Clingstones showed that they could manufacture runs in a variety of ways. Dalton McIntyre drew a walk before John Gil and Hartman followed with back-to-back singles. Alex Lodise then reached on a fielder’s choice, which brought McIntyre home while an error by the Montgomery catcher allowed Lodise to reach first. Owen Carey followed with a sacrifice fly, bringing another run across and pushing the Columbus lead to 8-0. By this point, the Clingstones had completely taken control of the game. But apparently, they weren’t finished. The eighth inning brought even more scoring, and it came in just about every way imaginable. Lodise doubled to drive in Gil and move Hartman to third. Carey followed with another sacrifice fly to bring home another run. Then, with two outs, the long ball came back into the picture. Jordan Groshans and Zebrowski went back-to-back with home runs, putting the finishing touches on what had already been an incredible offensive performance from the Clingstones. It was the kind of night where just about everything seemed to be working.

Young Prospects Showing They Belong

What made the performance even more exciting was seeing several of Columbus’ young prospects continue to show that they can handle the jump from High-A to Double-A. That jump is not an easy one. The competition gets tougher, the pitchers are more advanced, and mistakes become much harder to get away with. For young hitters, making those adjustments while also trying to perform consistently can be a huge challenge. Then there’s the added pressure that comes with being a highly regarded prospect.

For Hartman, that pressure is even greater. As the Braves’ No. 1 prospect and a top-100 prospect in all of baseball, there are going to be plenty of eyes on everything he does. People are watching his at-bats, his adjustments, his approach, and how he handles adversity. He went three for five on the night and was a triple shy of the cycle. That’s part of what makes his performance so exciting to watch. He isn’t just trying to produce. He’s learning how to do it while carrying the expectations that come with being one of the organization’s top young players. And Saturday night was another example of why the Braves are so excited about his future.

Groshans, Waddell, and Zebrowski have also continued to prove their value and show how much they can contribute to this team. They’re not simply names on a prospect list. They’re players actively helping Columbus win baseball games. As I’ve mentioned in previous articles, mixing experienced minor league players with young, high-end talent can be a recipe for success. That’s exactly what seems to be happening in Columbus, Georgia.

More Than Just a Baseball Game

This game had great moments from beginning to end. From the pregame festivities to the final out, Saturday night felt different. Yes, the Clingstones put together an offensive performance that gave the fans plenty to celebrate. Yes, the prospects continued to show why there is so much excitement surrounding the future of the Braves organization. And yes, this was another important game in a tightly contested series between two teams fighting for position in the division. But at the end of the night, the scoreboard wasn’t the most important thing. CURE Childhood Cancer Night gave everyone at the ballpark an opportunity to be part of something bigger than baseball.

Childhood cancer doesn’t just affect the child who receives the diagnosis. It affects parents, siblings, grandparents, and entire families. The emotional and financial toll can be overwhelming, and organizations like CURE Childhood Cancer are there to help families through those moments. That’s what made the special jerseys and the money raised throughout the night so meaningful. For the players, it was an opportunity to wear a special jersey For the fans, it was an opportunity to take home a piece of the team. But for the families affected by childhood cancer, it represented something much bigger: support, hope, and a reminder that they aren’t facing these battles alone.

Baseball has a funny way of bringing people together. On Saturday night, it did exactly that. The Clingstones gave their fans plenty to cheer about, but the entire Columbus community had a chance to come together for a cause that reaches far beyond the baseball field. And on a night filled with home runs, big plays, and an impressive offensive showing, that may have been the biggest win of them all.