COLUMBUS - Grant Berry hit a go-ahead three-run home run in the bottom of the eighth inning to give the Columbus State University baseball team a 5-4 victory over 24^th-ranked North Georgia on Saturday. The Peach Belt Conference game took place at Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field.

Trailing 4-2 heading into the eighth, the Cougars got the leadoff man on as a wicked hop gave Matthew McDade a single before Garrett Kirkwood drew a walk. With a chance to put the Cougars in front, Berry delivered, sending a no-doubter deep over the right field wall for his third home run of the season.

CSU closer Devin Dudal entered the game in the ninth and slammed the door shut on North Georgia for his 13^th save of the year. The 13 saves are the most by a Cougar pitcher since 2006. 

"This is the team that we all know, the team that doesn't quit," said head coach Greg Appleton. "We played a great game today, and give credit to our guys for finding a way to grind out this important win."

Both starting pitchers were rolling in the early going as neither team could get a rally started. In the bottom of the fourth, CSU broke finally through as Robert Brooks hit his third homer of the series to lead off the inning.

However, North Georgia put a four spot on the board in the sixth. The first four batters reached base for the Nighthawks, including two RBI doubles. A sacrifice fly and a groundout made it a 4-1 game.

The Cougars manufactured a run in their half of the sixth. Berry laced a double over the centerfielder's head to get things going before moving to third on a sacrifice bunt. Brooks would then pick up his second RBI of the game, driving home Berry on a sacrifice fly.

Needing to keep UNG off the board, Sheridan Coy tossed two scoreless innings to set up Berry's game-winning homer in the eighth.

Kolton Ingram started for the Cougars allowing four runs over six innings in the no-decision effort. 

Berry was 2-for-4 with three RBIs while McDade was 2-for-2 with a run scored. 

Columbus State and North Georgia will conclude the series Sunday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field.