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CARY, N.C. – The eighth-ranked Columbus State University baseball team got off to a strong start at the Division II College World Series, downing No. 24 Mercyhurst 8-1 on Sunday. The game was played at the USA Baseball National Training Complex.
 
Columbus State (46-13) advances in the winner's bracket and will take on No. 22 UC San Diego on Tuesday evening at 7 p.m.
 
"Today was a good game all around for us," head coach Greg Appleton said. "We got the two runs early, which was huge, and Kolton (Ingram) threw an outstanding game."
 
Facing a pitcher that had allowed just two runs in his last 22 innings, the Cougars jumped on the board in the first inning.
 
Grant Berry turned around the first pitch he saw for a leadoff single, setting the tone for the Columbus State offense. Garrett Kirkwood then drew a walk to give the Cougars a pair of runners, but they were still standing on second and third with two outs. Chase Brown came through for the Cougars, delivering a two-run single on the eighth pitch of his at-bat to give CSU the early edge.
 
Mercyhurst (36-14) responded right back, loading the bases with only one out in the top of the second. However, Kolton Ingram buckled down with a strikeout and groundout to keep the Lakers off the board.
 
Both pitchers settled in from there, with neither team getting a baserunner over the next four half innings. However, the Cougar offense put the game away in the bottom of the fourth.
 
After the first two hitters were retired, Robert Brooks took a four-pitch walk to start the rally. Frank Wager followed with a single and Gunar Drinnen lined a single into centerfield that scored Brooks and stretched the lead to three.
 
The Cougars then caught a break, as Drew Webb hit a high fly ball into right field. However, the Mercyhurst right fielder lost the ball in the sun, allowing two runs to score.
 
While Ingram was rolling on the mound, the offense continued to tack on more. Berry tripled off the left-centerfield wall to score two more runs in the sixth and Wager doubled in a run in the eighth.
 
Berry, Wager and Webb all had two hits on the day to pace the Columbus State offensive attack.
 
Ingram (13-3) had things on cruise control on Sunday, shutting out the Lakers over eight innings of work. The junior allowed just four hits, while striking out 10. Ingram's 13^th win of the season matches the Columbus State single-season record, making him the fourth Cougar to reach the 13-win mark.