A nine-run lead was not enough for Team Benning to stop a late offensive onslaught by CMB on Wednesday. Benning dropped to 1-1 in the Columbus Spring Softball League at the South Commons Softball Complex, losing 26-25.

“We gave it away,” Benning coach Thomas Siter said.

Down 25-24 with one out and runners on second and third, CMB’s Hector Montalvo hit a walk-off, two-run single to complete the comeback, where CMB scored 14 of its 26 runs in the final two innings.

“Their bats came around in the last two innings and they just hit the ball,” Benning center fielder Demetrius Minor said. “They started off cold and came in hot.”

Benning did just the opposite as it jumped out to a nine-run lead in the first inning, but allowed the momentum to swing in the fourth inning after going three up, three down.

“If you can get a team three up, three down and then come right back and score, the momentum always goes your way,” Minor said. “They just happened to do it late in the game when they needed it most.”

CMB came alive in the sixth inning, down 20-12, by finding the outfield gaps. Minor stopped the bleeding in what was a five-run inning for CMB with a diving catch to record the final out. Minor went 4-for-5 with a home run, a double and led the team with four RBIs.

As well as it played offensively in the first inning, Benning struggled to get key hits with runners in scoring position toward the end of the game.

“We left a lot of people on base,” Minor said. “Those runs add up in the end.”

Minor also said Team Benning may have gotten too comfortable with the lead.

“The key to winning is to be consistent throughout the whole game,” Minor said. “We got up big early and then our bats started to taper off. Our flame went out toward the end.”

Left fielder Luke Page also went 4-for-5 with a home run, a double and three RBIs while catcher John Topper went 4-for-4 and drove in three runs.