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By:
Josh Fuller
PENSACOLA, FLA. – The Columbus State University baseball team scored three runs in the top of the ninth to break a 4-4 tie to defeat West Florida 7-4 to begin a two-game midweek series against the Argonauts. The game took place at Jim Spooner Field in Pensacola, Fla.
Both pitching staffs were on Tuesday as it was just a 3-2 game entering the eighth inning before the Cougars (25-16) scored a pair of runs to move ahead 4-3.
With one out,
Bryce Delevie and
Turner Vincent recorded back-to-back singles to get a rally started. Looking for big hit,
Drew Webb sliced the first pitch he saw down the left field line to bring home Delevie to tie the game at three. After
Grant Berry was hit by a pitch, a passed ball allowed Vincent to cross the plate pushing CSU in front. The Cougars did strand a pair on in the frame.
West Florida tied the game in its half of the eighth after a leadoff walk scored on a single.
It didn't take long for Columbus State to break the game open in the ninth.
Justin Evans put the Cougars back in front with one swing of the bat homering to left field.
Mason McClellan followed with a single up the middle while Vincent continued his good night with another base hit. After a fielder's choice, Webb and Berry delivered consecutive RBI singles to make it 7-4.
Robert Hayes tossed a perfect ninth for his first save of the season.
West Florida (23-19) scored the game's first run in the bottom of the first off of Cougar starter
Kolton Ingram. After a one-out walk, a passed ball and a wild pitch put the base runner on third. UWF got a single to start the game's scoring.
After Ingram worked out of a jam in the second, CSU put a two spot on the board.
Gunar Drinnen worked a leadoff walk before stealing second and moving to third on a fly out. Evans came through to tie the game with a single before stealing second himself. Evans advanced to third on a groundout and scored on a wild pitch to put the Cougars in front.
However, UWF scored single runs in the third and sixth innings to go ahead 3-2.
Ingram didn't have his best start, but was still productive for the Cougars. He allowed three runs (two earned) on four hits in six innings. He struck out five while walking six.
Jarrod Little recorded the win after tossing two innings allowing just one run.
Four Cougars had at least two hits led by Webb's 3-for-5 performance with two RBIs. Evans was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and two driven in. Delevie and Vincent both finished the night 2-for-4.
 Columbus State will look for the short two-game sweep on Wednesday. First pitch is at 2 p.m.
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