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By: Josh Fuller

COLUMBUS – Caleb Kutsche tossed his seventh complete game as the Columbus State University baseball team took down third-ranked North Georgia 9-3 Friday to begin a crucial Peach Belt Conference three-game series. The game took place at Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field.

CSU (24-14) scored two in the first, but batted around in the fourth putting a four spot on the board to support Kutsche.

"This was a great way to open a series," said head coach Greg Appleton. "Caleb continued to do his thing and our offense jumped on their pitcher which was good to see. We have to stay focused tomorrow to get another win."

Kutsche (9-1) allowed three runs (two earned) in the nine-inning effort striking out eight. The righty did walk and hit a pair apiece. The seven complete games are the most by a Cougar pitcher since the 2008 season.
 
It didn't start well for Kutsche and the Cougars as the first two North Georgia batters recorded singles. However, a fly out and back-to-back strikeouts ended the inning.

Carrying the momentum, CSU got a pair of runs just three hitters into the inning. Tyler Fichter singled followed by a hustle double from Justin Evans that put runners at second and third for Mason McClellan. The big first baseman would pull a double inside the third base bag to open up the game's scoring.

North Georgia (30-8, 14-5) cut the score in half in the third after taking advantage of a Cougar throwing error. However, CSU got the run right back in its half of the inning on a Evans sacrifice fly scoring Gunar Drinnen, who began the inning with a double.

Columbus State's big inning came in the fourth as all nine hitters stepped to the plate and the Cougars banged out four runs on four hits. CSU loaded the bases with two outs as Bryce Delevie and Grant Berry each picked up singles while Drew Webb worked a walk. Looking for a big hit, Drinnen came up clutch finding a gap in right-centerfield to score a pair of runs. Fichter followed with a double that hit the first base bag to bring home two more to make it 7-1.
 
The Cougars added on in the sixth with one swing of the bat as Mason McClellan hit a towering shot down the left field line to make it a 9-1 ballgame.

Kutsche retired nine in a row before running into trouble in the eighth. He loaded the bases without allowing a hit, but limited the damage to just a pair of runs. The senior did close out strong by retiring the side in order in the ninth.

Fichter was 3-for-4 with two RBIs to set the table for the Cougar order. Mason McClellan was 2-for-5 driving in four while Drinnen was 2-for-4 with a pair of runs and RBIs.

Columbus State and North Georgia will continue the series tomorrow at 2 p.m. Saturday's game is Alumni Day as CSU will honor the 2007 Division II College World Series national runner-up team.