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By: Josh Fuller

COLUMBUS – The 28^th-ranked Columbus State University baseball team scored a season-high 22 runs en route to a 22-6 victory in seven innings over Stillman Tuesday. The game took place at Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field.

The Cougars scored five or more runs in three different innings, including plating seven runs in the fourth and fifth innings.

"We hit very well tonight, obviously," stated head coach Greg Appleton. "The guys are seeing the ball well right this second and we hope it continues into tomorrow and this weekend."

Stillman (2-8) jumped out of the gates hot, scoring four runs in the top of the first off of CSU starter Jacob Boccucci. After a one-out single, Nick Vitale hit an opposite field home run to begin the game's scoring.

With two outs, Stillman added on thanks to back-to-back run-scoring hits by Hutto and Parker making it a 4-0 game.

However, it was all Columbus State from there as the Cougars scored the game's next 21 runs. CSU got half of the runs back in the second when Hunter Bowling laced a double down the left field line chasing home Grant Berry and Mike McClellan.

Columbus State (9-2) used the long ball in the third to jump out in front. Matt Nettles tied the game with his team leading fifth homer of the year deep over the right field fence. McClellan followed hitting his first bomb on the year putting the Cougars on top 5-4. It was the senior's 30^th career home run at CSU, becoming just the seventh Cougar to reach the 30 homer mark.

Following a 37-minute lightning delay, the Cougars got right back to work. After a walk, Ryan Ihle got in on the long ball action launching CSU's third home run of the inning to put the Cougars up 7-4.

The Cougars put the game away in the next two innings scoring a combined 14 runs to take a commanding 21-4 lead.

In the fourth, Stillman didn't help its cause committing three errors in the frame. After a McClellan RBI single, Berry made it a 10-4 game with a two-run single up the middle. CSU would then put pressure on the Stillman defense calling a double steal that resulted in Ihle stealing home and Berry making it to third after a throwing error.

Edwards and Oliver capped off the inning with a RBI single and double, respectively.

The Cougars were back at it in the fifth scoring seven more runs thanks to seven walks in the inning. Bowling had a big hit in the frame, clearing the bases on his second double down the left field line.

Stillman finally got back on the board in the sixth thanks to a two-out, two-run single by Vitale.

CSU capped off the game's scoring thanks to Stillman's fifth error of the day.

McClellan and Oliver each had three hits while Nettles and Bowling added two apiece. Bowling drove in five on two doubles. McClellan had three RBIs while scoring five times.

Ihle was 1-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs increasing his hitting streak to 11 games. Edwards upped his streak to 10 after a 1-for-5 day.

TJ Peterson (1-0) recorded his first colleigate victory tossing 1.2 hitless innings in relief. Robert Hayes and Cody Mimbs finished the game off for the Cougars. Boccucci allowed four runs in three innings in his start.

Vitale finished the game 2-for-4 with four RBIs.

Mitch Peterson (0-1) took the loss for Stillman allowing five runs in two-plus innings.

Columbus State will be back in action Wednesday afternoon hosting Tuskegee at Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field. First pitch is set for 4 p.m.