COLUMBUS - The Columbus State University baseball team scored a run in five different innings for an 11-6 victory over UNC Pembroke Saturday afternoon. The Peach Belt Conference game was played at Ragsdale Field at Burger King Stadium in Columbus.

UNC Pembroke (6-4, 0-2 PBC) had an answer for every Columbus State rally early on. In the bottom of the third, the Cougars used some small ball to push across the opening run of the game. With runners on the corners with one-out, head coach Greg Appleton called for the double-steal, and it was a success, with Matthew McDade stealing home while David Meadows swiped second. Later in the same at-bat, Isaac Bouton ripped a double deep to right to put the Cougars up 2-0.

However, the Braves tied the game in the fourth after a two-out, two-run double from Bobby Dixon off of Cougar starter Devin Dudal. CSU had some two-out magic of its own in the fourth with the bases loaded. After two singles and a walk filled the bases, Meadows poked a single to right field to score Will Wilbanks and Dane Bullock.

Once again in the fifth, UNC Pembroke tied things up, this time with one-swing of the bat. Dudal allowed a double before Gage Hammonds took him deep to left to even the margin. 

Needing another rally, Columbus State was up to the task. Bryson Horne and Drew Webb both reached via one-out singles before a UNCP pitching change. Bullock greeted Tanner Routh with a double down the left-field line scoring Horne to put the Cougars back on top. However, CSU was unable to add any insurance runs going into the sixth up just one.

Dudal (2-0) would finish his day strong, retiring the side in order in the sixth before pitching around two hits in the seventh. The junior finished the day allowing four runs on nine hits while striking out eight. 

The Cougars would start to add on, thanks to a power display by Horne. The junior connected on two two-run homers, one in the sixth with another in the eighth, to help put the game away. Robert Brooks also added to the tally with a sacrifice fly in the eighth.

Noah Windhorst (1+ IP, 2 ER, 1 K) pitched a perfect eighth before running into trouble in the ninth. However, Brady Kais slammed the door shut on just five pitches, thanks to a double-play lineout. 

"We did a lot of different things well to win today," commented head coach Appleton. "We hit for contact and power at the plate, and also stole a few bags. It's nice when everything comes together, including getting another solid pitching performance from our starter."

"It's rare at times that you get the opportunity to grab a sweep in conference play. When it happens, it's critical that you take the extra game, and we'll be stressing that to the guys tomorrow." 

Horne (3-for-5, 3 runs, 2 HRs, 4 RBIs) had his best day in a Cougar uniform so far while Bullock (4-for-5, run, 2 2B, 2 RBIs) tied a career-high with four hits. 

Up Next

The Cougars will look for the sweep on Sunday at Ragsdale Field at Burger King Stadium. First pitch is for 1 p.m.

Cougar Trends & Notes

• Meadows (2-for-4, run, 2 RBIs, 3 SBs) and McDade (2-for-3, run) also had multi-hit games for the Cougars on Saturday.
• Meadows is a perfect 5-for-5 in stolen base attempts this season. 
• Bullock also had four hits in a game last season against Young Harris on April 18. He went 4-for-4 that day with a homer. 
• Brooks had his 16-game on-base streak snapped in the game.
• Kirley has hit safely in each of the past seven games.
• It's the first time CSU hit two homers in a game since the season opener against Saint Leo.