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ALBANY, Ga. - The Columbus State University baseball team grinded out a 3-0 shutout win against the Golden Rams of Albany State on Wednesday. The game was played in Albany, Ga.Â
The Cougars got on the board in the second when they led off the inning with back-to-back walks. After a double steal,
Grant Berry hit an RBI-groundout to bring home
Dane Bullock for the first run of the game.Â
From there it was pitcher
Tyler Cadenhead that cruised his way past the Golden Rams lineup.Â
The junior didn't allow a hit in both the third and fourth innings racking up two strikeouts with two flyouts and two groundouts. He retired 13 of the first 16 batters he faced shutting Albany State out through the first five innings.Â
In the sixth Cadenhead ran into trouble when the Golden Rams got back-to-back two-out singles to put runners on first and second. But he would come up with the clutch groundout to second base sending ASU back to their dugout empty-handed. Cadenhead would eventually strikeout the final batter he faced in the bottom of the seventh sending the Cougars to the 8th still clinging to their one run lead.Â
It was there that Columbus State finally added an insurance run on the board.
Chase Brown drew a one-out walk and
Connor Kirley, who came in to pinch run for Brown, moved over to second base on a passed ball. On a 2-2 pitch it was Bullock who ripped a double into left field to easily score Kirley, doubling up the Cougar lead.Â
Sheridan Coy would go three up, three down in relief of Cadenhead pitching a perfect eighth for CSU while picking up a strikeout.Â
After Columbus State would add a third run off a sac-fly in the ninth, they brought on
Devin Dudal looking for his seventh save of the season. The sophomore gave up two singles and after a groundout it put runners on second and third with the tying run at the plate. But on a 2-2 pitch, Dudal would send one in the zone as the Golden Rams looked at a called third strike to end the game.Â
Cadenhead (2-3) went seven strong innings scattering just five hits while striking out four in the win.Â
Bullock finished 2-for-3 at the plate with one run and one RBI to lead the way for CSU.Â
Columbus State will head back home for a weekend series against conference opponent USC Aiken. The three-game series is scheduled to start Friday, March 22 with first pitch at 6:00 p.m.Â