COLUMBIA -- In a matchup featuring a pair of second-ranked teams Thursday afternoon, the Francis Howell Vikings prevailed with a 2-1 victory against the Blair Oaks Falcons in pool play of the Columbia Tournament at Hickman.
No. 2 Francis Howell was last year’s Class 6 state runner-up, while Blair Oaks is the No. 2 team in Class 4.
All of Thursday’s scoring occurred in the fifth inning.
Zane Halford and Evan McCullough started the inning with back-to-back singles, putting runners on the corners. Halford was tagged out at the plate on the ensuing squeeze-bunt attempt, but Hayden Lackman put Blair Oaks ahead 1-0 with an RBI double to right field, scoring McCullough.
Francis Howell’s deficit was short-lived. The Vikings scored their first run in the bottom of the fourth on an error, then Leo Humbert -- a Missouri baseball commit -- hit a two-out RBI double to put Francis Howell in front 2-0.
Francis Howell pitcher Adam Shipley retired the final six Blair Oaks batters he faced to finish his complete game. In seven innings, he allowed one run on four hits with two walks and eight strikeouts.
Jacob Tellman also went the distance on the mound for Blair Oaks. In six innings, he gave up two unearned run on five hits with two walks and seven strikeouts.
Halford had two of Blair Oaks’ four hits, adding a leadoff double in the third inning.
Francis Howell (14-4) defeated Hickman 11-1 in its second pool-play game Thursday.
Blair Oaks (13-3), which had its eight-game winning streak come to an end, plays two games today to wrap up pool play. The Falcons face Class 5 No. 1 Willard at 11 a.m. and Hickman at 3 p.m. Both games will be played at Hickman.