The Buchholz baseball team had some unfinished business to deal with Tuesday night against Columbia at Bobcat Park.

The Bobcats were 21-7 in 2023 and advanced to the Region 1-6A final, but they lost twice in four days to the Columbia, including being run-ruled and no-hit by the Tigers at home.

Buchholz avenged that loss in a big way on Tuesday, taking advantage of wild Columbia pitchers to pull away for a 13-3 win in six innings.

Buchholz coach Ron Brooks said this win is nice, but now Columbia will be ready for the rematch in Lake City on Friday.

“Anytime you get 10-run ruled and no-hit here at home in five innings, kids remember that,” Brooks said. “It’s definitely motivation, but now they (Columbia) are going to be motivated on Friday night. Friday is going to be a different ballgame and we expect their best.”

Buchholz (9-5) ended a two-game losing streak despite managing only six hits while taking advantage of 10 walks and three hit batters by four Columbia pitchers.

The Bobcats got on the board in the second without a hit. Two walks and a hit batter eventually led to a sacrifice fly by sophomore Aiden Kastensmidt and a 1-0 Bobcats lead.

Columbia (6-9) answered in the top of the third. With two outs, junior Trayce McKenzie delivered a two-run single down the third base line for a 2-1 Tigers lead.

That was the only mistake made by junior starter J.J. Gardner, who allowed only two hits and two runs with five strikeouts and two walks in five innings.

“He’s (Gardner) really given us quality starts in his last three starts, going back to Bishop Kenny (a 1-0 win on March 13), ” Brooks said. “We feel really good if we can get four or five innings out of our starters with how good our bullpen is.”

Buchholz took the lead for good with a four-run fourth. The Bobcats took advantage of four walks by Columbia starter Bynton Edge, and Conner Brown gave Buchholz the lead for good with a two-run double.

Buchholz picked up another run in the fifth, then blew the game wide open with seven runs in the sixth inning.

Two Columbia pitchers combined to hit two Buchholz batters and walk two more Bobcats in the sixth.

Buchholz managed only three hits, with Kastensmidt hitting a two-run single. The Bobcats also scored on a bases-loaded hit by pitch, a sacrifice fly, and a couple of wild pitches to secure the win.