April 2, 2011
Defense Hampers No. 26 Columbus State, Lose 5-3 to North Georgia
Dahlonega – The usually sure-handed Columbus State baseball team committed a season high four errors and gave up four unearned runs as they fell 5-3 to North Georgia Saturday afternoon in a Peach Belt Conference contest at Bob Stein Stadium. The Cougars drop to 21-13 on the season and 7-7 in the PBC while the Saints improve its mark to 21-12 and 7-10 in conference action.
CSU loaded the bases in the second inning with one out but were unable to push a run across after a strikeout and groundout ended the threat.
An inning later the Cougars were able to get on the scoreboard when Bruce Alter hit a 1-0 pitch over the leftfield wall for a three-run homerun. It was his seventh homerun of the year, the second most on the squad.
In the bottom half of the frame North Georgia was able to respond scoring all five of their runs on four hits and a pair of CSU errors. Terrell Jones singled in their first run with two outs cutting the deficit to 3-1. An error by Columbus State on the next play extended the inning as a run came across before back-to-back hits made it a 4-2 contest. The Saints scored the final run of the game on a wild pitch.
Columbus State had a chance to cut into the lead in the sixth inning after Noah Watkins singled through the right side of the infield before moving up to third base via a wild pitch and passed ball. CSU couldn't put the ball in play however as the next two batters struck out.
Tyler Carpenter (4-3) took the loss for the Cougars working seven innings allowing five runs although only one was earned. He gave up nine hits and a pair of walks while striking out two. Alter was the lone bright spot offensively for CSU as he picked up three of the five hits with Cameron Scott and Watkins picking up the other two.
Wes Coberly picked up the win improving to 3-2 on the year throwing 6.2 innings giving up three runs (two earned) on four hits and three walks. He also struck out seven Cougars. Jacob Rickett picked up his 10th save of the season working a perfect ninth inning. Chad Sage and Jones led the offensive attack for the Saints picking up a pair of hits apiece.
