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DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Embry-Riddle scored three runs in the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie to defeat the Columbus State University baseball team 4-1 Saturday to win the three-game series. The game took place at Sliwa Stadium on the campus of Embry-Riddle.

The Cougars woke up their bats early and took advantage of two two-out singles when Frank Wager doubled to put CSU on top 1-0. The Eagles would respond in the bottom of the second with a double of their own but that's when the strong pitching took over once again at Sliwa. After the second inning, both teams were held scoreless for a combined seven half innings until the bottom of the sixth.

Junior Tyler Cadenhead scattered just three hits while striking out three through five innings to keep the Eagles at bay. In the sixth inning, he retired the first two batters easily but then ran into trouble. Three straight singles by Embry-Riddle loaded the bases with two outs and brought Mike Lawson to the plate. On a 3-2 pitch, Cadenhead delivered one to the plate that appeared to get the Cougars out of trouble but a check swing was called on the appeal, bringing home the lead run. A single and an error followed to give the Eagles the 4-1 lead.

"First of all, hats off to their pitching this entire weekend," said head coach Greg Appleton. "We thought we had gotten out of the sixth inning without any damage, but credit to them for taking advantage of the opportunity. Our bats just weren't there this weekend, but we'll be ready to bounce-back at home."

The teams battled windy conditions which continued to help add to the pitching dominance seen in the series. Cadenhead (0-2) finished the afternoon going 5.2 innings giving up four hits and three earned runs while striking out three. Daniel Agramont (1-0) shut the Cougars down after giving up the lone run in the first going seven innings with three strikeouts. 

Columbus State wasn't able to get two on the base paths after the first inning until late in the game when Garrett Kirkwood and Kendall Ford hit back-to-back singles in the eighth with only one out. However, Eagle reliever Garrett Goodall settled down and punched out two Cougars to end the threat. 

CSU finished the three-game series scoring a combined three runs over the weekend. Wager was 1-for-3 with the RBI double while freshman Matthew McDade went 2-for-3 in the loss. 

The Cougars will be back in action next Saturday, Feb. 16 to take on Saint Leo in a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Burger King Stadium in Columbus.