Like Columbus State Athletics on Facebook!
Tweet #GoCSU

CARROLLTON, Ga. – The fifth-ranked Columbus State University baseball team tallied another win on Wednesday, completing the season sweep of No. 18 West Georgia 4-1. The nonconference game was played in Carrollton.
 
The victory is the 12^th straight for the Cougars and their third straight over a ranked opponent. CSU currently has the second-longest winning streak in the country, behind only Saint Leo's 15 consecutive victories.
 
"The great thing about this team right now is they are able to win in different ways," head coach Greg Appleton said. "Today, it was the pitching and defense that led the way. We threw the ball well and our defense turned some timely double plays to get us out of innings."
 
Pitching and defense was the name of the game for Columbus State (18-2) on Wednesday, despite getting some early offense.
 
Justin Evans opened the game on a high note, tripling to right field and scoring one batter later on Garrett Kirkwood's groundout. Chase Brown then made a UWG error hurt in the second inning with a RBI single that brought home Robert Brooks and doubled the margin.
 
The two runs would prove to be all the Cougars would need in the game behind Tyler Cadenhead. The sophomore allowed just one run in his five innings of work, scattering seven hits to improve to 4-0 on the season.
 
The Cougars got out of the second inning with a double play and Frank Wager helped stall a rally in the third by picking a runner off at third base. Wager showed off his arm again in the fourth, cutting down a runner at second to erase a leadoff single.
 
Payton Phillips entered the game in the sixth for Columbus State and was lights out. The junior retired the first three hitters he faced, two via strikeout before getting a pair of insurance runs.
 
With two down in the seventh, Evans singled into left-centerfield to score Brown, and Drew Webb was able to come to the plate after a miscue in the outfield.
 
The Cougar defense then turned double plays in the seventh and eighth innings and Phillips sealed the win with a perfect ninth. Phillips picked up the save with five strikeouts in his four scoreless innings.
 
Evans led the CSU offense with a 3-for-5 day, driving in one and scoring once. Webb also had a 2-for-3 showing.
 
Columbus State is back at home this weekend for a three-game series with Lander. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 6 p.m.