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By:
Josh Fuller
MONTEVALLO, Ala. – The 21
st-ranked Columbus State University baseball team fell in a tough fashion on Sunday as the Falcons stormed back to win an 11-10 game. The third and final game of the Peach Belt Conference series took place at Kermit Johnson Field in Montevallo, Ala.
The Cougars held a 10-5 lead heading into the ninth before UM rallied scoring six to record another walkoff win over CSU. The Falcons had five hits in the six-run ninth, including two doubles.
"This wasn't the outcome we were hoping for this series," said CSU head coach
Greg Appleton. "We really could have left with three wins, but we didn't play complete games. This will be a good test of character for the guys because we have to bounce back next week."
Montevallo kept Columbus State at bay through the first three innings. CSU was limited to just two hits while the Falcons got a solo homer in the first off of Cougar starter
Luke Porter to jump out in front.
In the fourth, CSU broke through as
Justin Evans drew a walk and moved all the way to third via wild pitches before the next at-bat was over with.
Mason McClellan made the wild pitches hurt with a single tying the game at one. After an
Austin Collins single put runners on the corners with two outs,
Drew Webb put the Cougars in front with a double to center. However on the play, Collins was cut down at the plate to keep another CSU run off the board.
The Cougars increased their lead in the fifth after a Montevallo error and did more damage in the sixth.
Mason McClellan was hit by a pitch to begin the frame and
Lake Hart followed with a double to left.
Patrick McClellan would then enter the game and make the Falcons pay. The righty pulled a three-run homer down the left field line to put CSU in front 6-1.
Things got tighter in the bottom half of the sixth as Montevallo used the long ball once again to do damage. A leadoff double turned into a run after a single to make it 6-2, but a two-run homer made it a 6-4 game. The Falcons would then go back-to-back getting a solo shot to make it just a one-run game.
Columbus State did get two runs back in the seventh.
Tyler Fichter had a leadoff single and then an UM error on a grounder off the bat of Evans put two runners on for CSU.
Mason McClellan picked up an RBI on a fielder's choice while Collins came up with a big two-out single to make it 8-5.
CSU's final runs came in the ninth, thanks to back-to-back home runs.
Mason McClellan started it off with his 11
th homer of the year while Hart followed with a blast to left field.
Columbus State had 12 hits in the game, including three hits apiece from Hart and Collins. Hart was 3-for-4 with a double, homer, RBI and two runs scored. Collins was 3-for-5 with a RBI.
Mason McClellan was 2-for-4 with four runs scored and three RBIs.
Porter went 5.1 innings in the start allowing four runs on eight hits.
Robert Hayes threw two scoreless innings for the Cougars with three strikeouts.
Columbus State will be back in action on Tuesday, March 28 hosting Middle Georgia State. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field.
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