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COLUMBUS - The Columbus State University baseball team won their 12
th straight game at home as their bats exploded for 13 runs to open the series against USC Aiken. The first game of the conference series took place at Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field.
After falling behind 3-2, the bat cats would pounce on the Pacers in the fourth and fifth innings, scoring a combined eight runs to break the game open.
"It was going to be a different kind of game with Kolton having to sit out as we pieced things together," said coach
Greg Appleton. "But Forthofer, Carter and Howell all did great tonight. Plus our offense lifted us up with big hits and it worked out perfect as it allowed us to rest some of the backend bullpen arms."
Kendall Ford had a productive day at the plate and started the big fourth inning tying the game at 3 apiece on an RBI-single. A walk would load the bases for
Robert Brooks who proceeded to put the Cougars in front with one swing of the bat. The sophomore sent a fastball on a 3-1 pitch to deep left center hitting the grand slam to put CSU in front 7-3.
One inning later it was
Drew Webb who got in on the home run action sending a no-doubter to left center as well, a two-run shot to make it 9-3. Columbus State would tack on another run thanks in part to heads up base running from Ford to help the Cougars break away in the opening game.
Just for good measure, Brooks made sure he put the game completely out of reach in the bottom of the seventh inning when he sent another ball to the same spot, his second home run of the game. The seven RBI's for the sophomore was a team high this year, also the second time a Cougar has hit two home runs in a game this season.
Columbus State also got it done on the mound with their make-shift approach after starter
Kolton Ingram was a late scratch.
Russell Forthofer picked up his first start as a Cougar, grabbing three strikeouts while stranding the bases-loaded for the Pacers in the top of the third.
Alan Carter came in for two innings grabbing three strikeouts including a strikeout to end the fifth to strand the bases-loaded yet again for USC Aiken.
Finally,
Thomas Howell would go the rest of the way for CSU throwing four innings of two-hit shutout ball. Howell (1-0) would pick up his first win of the season while racking up six strikeouts.
Brooks finished 2-for-4 at the plate with seven RBI's and two runs courtesy of his two home runs. Webb's lone hit on a 1-for-3 night was his two-run home run while he also drew two walks and came around to score three times.
Ford snatched another three hits for CSU, going 3-for-4 with four runs, four stolen bases and one RBI.
Columbus State will be right back at Ragsdale Field for game two of the series against USC Aiken on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
