Ben’s Ford Christian School struggled in a 12-3 loss to Columbia Academy at home Thursday.

The Eagles trailed 3-0 after one. Slade Wilks doubled home Logan Bullock, who singled earlier in the frame. Cam Harvard’s sacrifice fly made it 2-0 and it went to 3-0 when Jonathon Broughton drew an RBI walk.

Columbia added another run in the second. Luke McKenzie walked and later tallied from second when Wilks hit a grounder that resulted in a forceout at second.

Columbia went up 9-0 after putting up five runs in the fourth inning.

Wiley Cleland singled to open the frame, Wilks walked and Harvard loaded the bases with a bunt single. After a strikeout, Broughton reached on an error, plating two runs to make it 7-0. Tanner Cox reached on an error to make it 8-0 and McKenzie’s RBI single put it at 9-0.

Columbia starter Broughton threw three perfect innings.

The Cougars brought in a reliever, who retired the first hitter, but the Eagles’ Josh Taylor broke up the string of 10 in a row with a single to center.

Daniel Pittman, who threw out two base stealers defensively, walked. Taylor stole third and Pittman advanced to second on a wild pitch. The Eagles had runners on second-and-third with one out, but were unable to capitalize on the scoring opportunity.

It remained 9-0 until the sixth when Heath Greenlee hit a solo homer to left for a 10-0 lead.

The Eagles avoided the 10-run rule in the sixth with three runs.

Dalton Hines and Ernesto Woods walked. Taylor put down a bunt. The throw went to third, but was errant as Hines scored to make it 10-1.

Woods later scored on Pittman’s sacrifice fly and Garrett Pounds drove home Taylor with an RBI double. Pounds’ double just eluded Columbia’s right fielder, who made a diving effort.

Ben’s Ford coach Tommy Pittman said he has already seen some improvement in his team.

“I think the boys are going to the plate with a little more confidence,” Pittman said.

Pittman said he’s looking for them to get a little better each week, and to keep doing what they need to do to improve.

Columbia added three more runs in the seventh.