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COLUMBUS - The Columbus State University baseball team dropped a tight contest 4-3 against Georgia Southwestern Friday night. The Peach Belt Conference game took place at Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field. 

Columbus State (21-12, 8-8 PBC) took the lead for the first time in the bottom of the sixth when Dane Bullock mashed a two-run home run to center putting the Cougars on top 3-1. Frank Wager led the inning off with a single and with two outs Bullock took flight on an 0-1 pitch to take the lead.

But the lead wouldn't last long as the Hurricanes came storming back the following two innings grabbing one in the seventh before adding two more off a home run in the eighth to go in front 4-3. 

CSU would have one final chance in the bottom of the ninth when Robert Brooks drew a two-out walk. But after a pinch runner came on the Cougars would ground a ball in the infield for the third out to end the comeback attempt. 

"Well it was disappointing to leave the runners we left on and not come through with a win for Jalen," said head coach Greg Appleton. "But we'll come back tomorrow and focus on just taking care of business in the opening game and go from there."

The first big chance for CSU came in the opening inning when three straight singles loaded the bases with two outs. But a strikeout would strand them letting the opportunity slip away. In all the Cougars would leave 10 runners on the base paths in the loss. 

Trailing 1-0 heading into the bottom of the fourth, Columbus State finally got on the board when Chase Brown and Matthew McDade each hit doubles to bring the opening run for CSU across the plate. 

Jalen Latta (2-4) pitched another solid game on the mound going seven strong innings. The junior scattered six hits giving up two runs while striking out six. It was the second straight game the Columbus native has gone seven innings giving up two or less runs.

The Cougars had won 11 straight regular season games against Georgia Southwestern before the loss on Friday. 

Columbus State and Georgia Southwestern will finish the series on Saturday with a doubleheader. First pitch of the opening is scheduled for 1:00 p.m.