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By: Josh Fuller

DUE WEST, S.C. – Erskine scored seven unanswered runs, including a four spot in the third, to defeat the Columbus State University baseball team 7-4 Friday afternoon in the season opener.  The game took place at Grier Field in Due West, S.C.

After both sides left runners in scoring position in the first, CSU (0-1) got on the board first in the top half of the second. With one-out, Ryan Ihle reached first on an infield hit and moved to second on a wild pitch. Hunter Bowling followed and ripped a double into the right-centerfield gap plating Ihle for the 1-0 lead.

An inning later, Columbus State added three more to go in front 4-0. Jackson Oliver led the inning off with a walk, but Nate Williams was able to retire the next two hitters for a chance to exit the inning unharmed.

However, Juan Montana started a two-out rally, singling through the right side of the infield to score Oliver from second. Following a Blake Edwards walk, Ihle cleared the bases with a double to left-center upping the Cougar lead.

Erskine (5-0) was able to get to Cougar starter Caleb Kutsche in the bottom of the third. The first five Flying Fleet batters reached base to start the inning as a walk, single and error loaded the bases with no outs. Kutsche didn't make things better after walking Henry Faunce to force in a run making it a 4-1 game.

Still with no outs, Chaz Davey drove in another Flying Fleet run with a single to right field keeping the bases full for Erskine.

Kutsche was able to help limit the damage by enducing a double play ball off the bat of Destin Nichols, but a run scored on the play making it a one-run game.

With two-outs and a runner on the corner, Chase Watts poked a single through the infield scoring Faunce to tie the game at four.

From there, Erskine's bullpen kept the Cougars' bats silent. Noah Hinzman and Joe Johnson combined to pitch the final 6.1 innings allowing just two hits. They struck out seven CSU batters, including four straight by Johnson in the eighth and ninth innings. The Cougars had just two runners reach second in the final six innings of play.

Erskine took the lead in the seventh after three straight singles. With two outs and Sam Cothran on first, Faunce singled up the middle off Cougar reliever Robert Hayes to put runners on the corners.  

After Faunce stole second, Davey came up with another clutch hit for the Flying Fleet, finding a hole in left-center to score both runners. Nichols followed with a single of his own scoring Rodney O'Neal, who stole second after replacing Davey as a pinch runner.

Johnson (1-0) recorded the win for Erskine pitching 2.1 scoreless innings. He struck out four while allowing just one base runner. Hinzman tossed four scoreless innings while surrendering just two hits. The sophomore retired the first eight hitters he faced.

Hayes (0-1) took the loss after allowing three runs in 1.2 innings of work. Kutsche lasted five innings in the opening day start allowing four runs (two earned) on seven hits. He struck out two while also walking a pair.

Ihle had a great day at the plate for Columbus State going 3-for-4 with a double and two runs driven in. Christian Miller was the only other Cougar to have multiple hits finishing the day 2-for-5. Bowling was 1-for-4 with a RBI double.

Cothran was 3-for-5 for Erskine with two runs scored while Davey was 2-for-4 with three RBIs.

Columbus State and Erskine will complete the three-game series tomorrow afternoon with a doubleheader. First pitch from Due West, S.C. is set for noon.