The Columbus Clippers began their 2025 campaign with a late afternoon game Friday against the Toledo Mud Hens at Fifth Third Field. The Clippers scored four runs in the seventh inning to retake the lead and held on for an 8-5 win.

Toledo got their season started with a solo home run in the first inning from Jace Jung against Columbus starter Doug Nikhazy. Nikhazy, who was 7-3 and had an ERA of 2.87 with the Clips last season, gave up one more run on a homer in the fourth and did not figure into the decision, going five innings.

Columbus took a 3-2 lead into the bottom of the sixth inning, scoring their three runs in the third. Juan Brito singled with the bases loaded and no outs to knock in a run. Brito was followed by Angel Martínez, who doubled to drive in two. Brito was second on the team last season with 84 RBIs in 144 games with the Clippers.

The Mud Hens jumped back into the lead, 4-3, with two runs in the sixth. Bligh Madris tripled to bring in both runs. The Columbus offensive attack was not done. In the top of the seventh, the Clippers scored four times to take the lead for good with three runs coming with two outs in the inning.

Brito brought in the first run of the inning with a sacrifice fly. Then, with two gone, Will Wilson, in his 456th minor league game, hit a two-run bomb to put the Clippers on top for good. Newcomer Petey Halpin singled to knock in the final Columbus run of the frame.

Both teams would score one more time. In the bottom of the seventh inning, Toledo’s Justice Bigbie hit a one-out home run. In the top of the eighth, Brito posted an infield single to drive in the Clippers’ eighth run. He finished the night with three hits and three runs batted in.

Columbus reliever Bradley Hanner got the Clippers out of the chaotic sixth inning, stranding a runner at third base. Hanner (1-0) earned the win, getting two more outs in the seventh. Nick Mikolajchak tossed a perfect ninth inning and picked up the save. Toledo’s Brendan White (0-1) took the loss. 

The teams are back at it Saturday in the second of their three-game series in Toledo. The first pitch is slated for 4:05 p.m.