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By: Josh Fuller

AMERICUS, Ga. – The Columbus State University baseball team scored at least one run in the first four innings of the game to out power Georgia Southwestern 9-7 Saturday. The opening game of the three-game Peach Belt Conference series took place at Hurricane Stadium in Americus.

The Cougars scored a pair of runs in the first, second and fourth innings while one run crossed the plate in the third. However, Georgia Southwestern was able to score six runs in the first three innings to keep it a game.

"Our bats were hot from the get go and we were able to score enough runs early on to win the game," said head coach Greg Appleton. "Our pitching was shaky over the first three innings, but we found ways to get outs and were able to hang on to win."

Jackson Oliver led off the game with a double down the left field line before Ryan Ihle followed with a single through the left side of the infield. After a groundout, Christian Miller brought home Oliver with a groundout to third.

With two outs, Matt Nettles came through and added another Cougar run with a single to plate Ihle.

Georgia Southwestern (17-17, 3-16 PBC) came right back though in its half of the inning. After Evan Alderman found a hole for a single against Cougar starter Brandon Koehler, Zach Barron hit a two-run homer to left to tie the game at two.

The early scoring barrage continued as CSU took a 4-2 lead in the top half of the second. Tyler Fichter drew a one-out walk to get things started as Oliver followed with a single to right-center before taking second on the throw to third. With two in scoring position, Ihle delivered with a two-run double down the left field line.

CSU made it a 5-2 game after 2.5 innings of play after Hunter Bowling drove home Justin Evans with a sacrifice fly. Evans tripled with one out to earn his way aboard.

The Hurricanes put together the longest inning of the day in the bottom of the third sending eight hitters to the plate while scoring four runs. With one out, Koehler issued a walk and hit a batter to put himself in trouble. GSW took advantage of the opportunity and recorded three straight run-scoring hits to go ahead 6-5. Brett Burgess had the big blow in the inning with a two-run single up the middle.

Columbus State (24-10, 10-6) immediately took the lead back in the fourth and never trailed again. The top of the order were the table setters again as Oliver and Ihle had back-to-back singles to start the frame. Mike McClellan tied the game with CSU's third straight single of the inning. After GSW was able to get two outs, a throwing error by the catcher allowed Ihle to score and make it a 7-6 game.

After Fichter made it an 8-6 game in the top of the seventh with a one-out single into centerfield, CSU turned the game over to its bullpen as Robert Hayes entered the game. Hayes was able to set down the first two hitters he faced before he issued a walk. After a stolen base, Dakota Long made the walk hurt as he singled home a run to make it a one-run game once again. GSW got another hit to put the tying run on second, but Hayes was able to get out of trouble.

CSU was able to get the run back in the eighth, thanks once again to Ihle. Ihle led frame off with a double down the right field line before he moved to third on a McClellan single. After a walk loaded the bases, Blake Edwards scored Ihle on a groundout to second.

Holding on to a 9-7 lead entering the bottom of the ninth, Georgia Southwestern got its leadoff runner on after Kolton Ingram walked him on four pitches. Jarrod Little would then enter and immediately got a double play to erase the walk.

Down to their final out, the Hurricanes rallied getting another walk and a single to bring the game-winning run to the plate. However, Little got a groundball to preserve the victory.

Koehler (7-1) earned the win tossing six innings allowing six runs on seven hits. He tied a season-high in strikeouts with eight. Little earned his second save of the season.

At the plate, Ihle was 4-for-6 for the Cougars with two RBIs and three runs scored. The senior also had two doubles. Oliver and McClellan each had three hits for the Cougars with Oliver scoring three times, while McClellan drove home one.

Long was 3-for-5 with two RBIs for Georgia Southwestern. Burgess had a pair of hits as well.  

Jordan McIlwain (4-3) took the loss after allowing seven runs (six earned) in five innings of work.

The two teams will conclude the series tomorrow with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.