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AIKEN, S.C. – The fourth-ranked Columbus State University baseball team lost its third straight game on Sunday, falling 3-1 at USC Aiken. The Peach Belt Conference series was played in Aiken, S.C.
 
Columbus State (22-5, 8-3 PBC) suffered its first sweep since being swept at Montevallo nearly one year ago to the day.
 
Both teams missed early scoring opportunities with the Cougars stranding five runners over the first two innings and the Pacers leaving the bases loaded in the first.
 
USC Aiken (10-4) loaded the bases again in the third behind three walks. A two-run single broke the scoreless tie and USCA would push another run across later in the inning on a Cougar error.
 
The Pacers retired 15 of 17 CSU hitters from the third through the seventh innings, as the Cougar bats went quiet.

Frank Wager finally got Columbus State on the scoreboard in the eighth with a solo home run, his ninth of the year, but that would be all the Cougars would muster on the day.
 
CSU tallied just five hits on the day, led by a 2-for-4 day from Austin Collins.
 
T.J. Clark (3-3) was hit with all three runs in his two-plus innings of work. Payton Phillips went five innings out of the bullpen, allowing just one hit and striking out seven.
 
Columbus State will have a busy week on its home field with five games coming across five straight days. The Cougars will begin with Albany State on Tuesday evening. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m. at Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field.