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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - The 11th-ranked Columbus State University baseball team only mustered out three total hits over two games, but was able to split a doubleheader against Embry-Riddle Friday. The Cougars took the opening game shutting out the Eagles 2-0 before losing the second 3-0.
"It was positive to see Kolton (Ingram) get back on track today," said head coach Greg Appleton. "Our pitching gave us a chance to come away with wins in both games today, but we need to be more patient at the plate and take advantage of what's given to us."
Columbus State (2-3) will remain in Daytona Beach, Fla. for the rubber match tomorrow. The final game is scheduled for an 11 a.m. first pitch.
Game One
All-American Kolton Ingram got back on track for the Cougars in the opening game throwing six shutout innings. The senior scattered four hits while racking up eight strikeouts.
CSU didn't pick up its first hit of the game until the fifth inning. Freshman Matthew McDade drew a hit-by-pitch to leadoff the inning. After advancing to third on two groundouts, McDade was brought home on the first hit of the game for the Cougars thanks to an infield single by Kendall Ford.
The pitching dominance continued as Sam Sowerbrower came in relief for Ingram in the 7th and put up another scoreless frame for the Cougars. CSU picked up their second hit of the game in the 8th, a big fly that left the park thanks to the bat of Dane Bullock. It was the second home run this season for the junior.
Columbus State ran into some trouble in the ninth as they were trying to shut the door on the Eagles. The first two batters reached via singles and after a sacrifice bunt both runners were in scoring position giving the Eagles a chance to tie. Sheridan Coy came in to close but walked the first batter to load the bases with only one out. It was then that the Cougar defense stepped up to the challenge. Kyle Guttveg who had three hits on the night hit a sharp liner to third that was snagged by McDade who then doubled off the runner to end the game.
Ingram (1-0) recorded the win while Sheridan Coy picked up his first save of the year.
Game Two
Columbus State looked like it would get off to a good start in the second game thanks a leadoff double from Ford. But that would prove to be the only hit of the entire game for CSU as the Eagles starting pitcher Troy Naab got the better of the Cougar hitters.
Naab proceeded to retire 18 of the next 21 batters that he faced as Columbus State's offense couldn't get anything going. Conner Kirley hit a ball to the wall in the fifth inning just missing out on getting the Cougars on the board. Columbus State would follow in the sixth with their best chance as Garrett Kirkwood drew a walk and Grant Berry was hit by a pitch to put two on with two outs. A foul out though by Bullock ended the opportunity for CSU.
Jalen Latta (1-1) gave up three hits and a walk in the first inning as Embry-Riddle jumped out to the early 2-0 lead. From there on out Latta settled in and mowed down the Eagles lineup, at one point retiring 10 straight. The final run came off a sac-fly in the fifth as Latta picked up the loss in the shortened seven-inning game.
Only two Cougars recorded hits in the doubleheader as Ford went 2-for-7 with an RBI while Bullock finished 1-for-7 with a home run.
