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PEMBROKE, N.C. - The Columbus State University baseball team broke a tie in the 9th inning before hanging on for the 5-4 win against UNC Pembroke Saturday. The Peach Belt Conference showdown took place at Sammy Cox Field. 

Garrett Kirkwood broke a 3-3 tie with an RBI-double to right field on an 0-2 pitch to put the Cougars in front 4-3 in the top of the 9^th inning. Frank Wager tacked on what proved to be the winning run with an RBI-single up the middle giving Columbus State a two run lead heading into the bottom of the 9^th. 

That's when CSU ran into trouble as the Braves refused to go away quietly. A leadoff walk put a runner on the base-paths and after a fly out the Braves responded with a single to put runners on first and second with one away. An Ethan Baucom single into left field would score one and after another walk the Braves had the bases-loaded with still only one out trailing 5-4. 

With Devin Dudal on the mound, the sophomore delivered a pitch that was grounded on the infield to the left of the second base bag forcing Kendall Ford to slide to his knees to glove the ball. Ford flipped it to Grant Berry who then rifled the ball over to first base just in time giving the Cougars the game ending 6-4-3 double play. 

"Well we just about gave them the game at the end there but it was a heck of a job by our infield to turn the double play," said head coach Greg Appleton. "Latta was solid on the mound giving us a chance as the game progressed. But we've got to find a way to get our offense going instead of waiting to wake up until the later innings."

Columbus State (13-5) once again couldn't get their bats going in the early going. The Cougars were held without a run for the first five innings of the game as UNC Pembroke jumped out to the 2-0 lead. 

But CSU started their rally thanks to an error to leadoff the sixth putting Garrett Kirkwood on first base. Robert Brooks followed it up with a double down the left field line to put two on in scoring position with no outs for Frank Wager. On an 0-1 pitch the senior mashed one to right center giving him his third home run of the season and putting CSU in front 3-2 with one swing of the bat. 

The score would remain that way until the 8^th inning when Baucom led the bottom of the inning off with a solo home run to tie the game at 3-3. After then putting two on the paths with only one out, Sheridan Coy would work himself out a jam getting a foul out and a groundout to send the game to the 9^th.

Wager led the way for Columbus State going 2-for-4 at the plate with the home run and four RBI's. It was the third time this season that Wager has knocked in four runs.

Jalen Latta had another strong outing on the mound going 7.0 innings giving up just five hits and two earned while striking out six batters. 

Columbus State and UNC Pembroke will play their rubber match to determine the winner of the series on Sunday, March 10^th. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Sammy Cox Field.