PEMBROKE, N.C. - The Columbus State University baseball team dropped the rubber match of their Peach Belt Conference series against UNC Pembroke by a final score of 10-5. The game took place Sunday afternoon at Sammy Cox Field. 

After grabbing the lead back in the top of the seventh off an RBI-single, the Cougars then watched the Braves hang six runs on them in the bottom of the frame to pull away with the series win.

"It was pleasing to see us finally string together some hits early in the game," said head coach Greg Appleton. "We got the early lead we've been looking for but unfortunately gave it right back to them. We need to find a way to do a much better job at closing out these road contests."

Garrett Kirkwood hit his second double of the game with one-out in the seventh to put him in scoring position in a 4-4 tie. Two batters later it was Frank Wager who picked up his second RBI base knock on the afternoon to put the Cougars back in front. 

But the Braves responded in a big way after the seventh inning stretch. Two singles and a walk loaded the bases and after a pitching change it was Ethan Baucom who hit a bases-clearing double. The Braves would add another three runs giving them a total of six runs off of six hits in the seventh.

Columbus State (13-6) got their bats started off the right way putting up four total runs in the first two innings. Wager smacked a double up the middle scoring Kirkwood in the first before CSU put up three more in the second. Three straight singles capped off by one from Matthew McDade gave the Cougars the 2-0 lead. They would plate two more in the inning, one via a wild pitch and then an RBI-groundout for the fourth run of the game.

After cruising through the first three innings allowing just two total hits, Sam Sowerbrower ran into trouble in the fourth inning when the Braves started a two-out rally. Three straight hits for UNCP would score three runs before they added another in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game at 4-apiece.

Kirkwood led the way for CSU going 3-for-5 at the plate with two runs and two doubles. Wager picked up two more RBI's on a 2-for-3 afternoon while McDade finished 3-for-4 with one run and one RBI.

Columbus State will head home to play a midweek game against West Georgia Wednesday, March 13^th. First pitch is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. at Burger King Stadium.