Cougars Use Long Ball to Down Saints

Columbus, GA- Columbus State used a six run first inning and solid pitching from starter Iain Sebastian to take game 1 of a three game series against North Georgia. The win runs CSU's record to 26-6 overall and 6-4 in the Peach Belt and North Georgia falls to 23-10 and 11-5 in PBC.

Columbus State banged out five hits off North Georgia starter Chris Rearick to score six runs in the opening frame. Rearick settled down and posted five scoreless innings against the Cougars to help get North Georgia back in the game. Iain Sebastian struggled with his control at times but held the Saints to 3 runs in 7 innings of work. The Cougars brought out the long ball in the 7th and 8th innings with homers from Eric Weiss, Eric Skinner, and two from Jason Rogers to put the game out of reach. The Saints added two more in the the 8th off reliever Drew Cox but closer Wade Dudley came on to put out the fire and preserve the Cougar win with two innings pitched.

Leading the way offensively for CSU was slugger Jason Rogers with 3 hits, 2 home runs, and 3 RBI. The 2 homers gives Rogers a conference leading 19 on the year. Shortstop Eric Skinner had a good night with a double and a home run, his first of the season. Eric Weiss and Cameron Griffin added two hits apiece to bolster the Cougar offense.  Kenny Bellevance led the North Georgia attack with three hits on the night. DH Brad Hall hit a towering home run for the Saints in the fourth inning.

The series continues tomorrow with a doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.