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By: Josh Fuller

EMERSON, Ga. – The seventh-ranked Columbus State University baseball team had a furious rally that fell just short as the Cougars dropped a 12-9 contest to Lee Wednesday afternoon. The non-conference game took place at PG LakePoint Field in Emerson, Ga.

CSU (20-5) entered the seventh down 11-3 before storming back to make things interesting.

In the seventh, Jackson Oliver led things off with a single up the middle before moving around to third. With two outs, a failed pickoff attempt allowed Oliver to scamper home to make it an 11-4 game.

Most of the Cougar damage came in the eighth as Columbus State pushed across four runs. Justin Evans drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a wild pitch. Tyler Fichter followed with a single to center scoring Evans. After a popup, Oliver laid down a bunt single placing two on for Matt Nettles.

Nettles delivered hitting a three-run homer to right to put the Cougars within striking distance. It was Nettles' team leading eighth home run of the year.

CSU's bullpen failed to have a shutdown inning in the bottom of the frame as Chris Adams doubled home a run to push Lee's lead out to 12-8.

In the ninth, Columbus State was able to string together a two-out rally. With Lake Hart at first, Fichter took a pitch the opposite way, singling down the left field line. Blake Edwards followed with a single to score Hart and bring the tying run to the plate. However, Lee was able to get a grounder to escape with the win.

Edwards went 3-for-6 in the game with two runs scored and a RBI. Fichter (2-for-5) had a pair of hits to go along with two RBIs. Mike McClellan was a perfect 2-for-2 with two runs driven in and two walks.

Columbus State's pitching staff had a rough outing allowing 14 Lee hits. The Flames (12-12) scored five runs in the second and four in the third to take a commanding 9-2 lead.

Kyle Peals (1-1) took the loss after allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits over two innings. Luke Porter was the lone Cougar pitcher to throw a scoreless inning.

Columbus State will now turn its attention to an important Peach Belt Conference series this weekend as the Cougars host 25^th-ranked Lander. CSU and Lander are currently the top two teams in the PBC. The series will begin on Friday at 6 p.m. at Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field.