COLUMBUS - Seven combined runs over the seventh and eighth innings helped the Columbus State University baseball team break open a tight game before the Cougars went on for an 11-2 victory Saturday afternoon. The three-game Peach Belt Conference series is taking place at Ragsdale Field at Burger King Stadium.

In a 4-2 game in the bottom of the seventh, the Cougars (9-3, 4-1 PBC) pushed two across thanks to two bases-loaded walks. In the frame, Flagler's pitcher Zach Audet hit two Cougar batters in addition to the two free passes. 

Columbus State put all doubts of a Flagler comeback to rest an inning later. After Isaac Bouton reached base to begin the inning on a throwing error, a Bryson Horne double down the rightfield line gave the Cougars a 7-2 lead. The damage kept on coming as Dane Bullock sent a shot straight out to center for a two-run homer while back-to-back run-scoring doubles by Matthew McDade and Connor Kirley pushed the margin to 11-2. 

"I loved what I saw out here today," commented head coach Greg Appleton. "Devin [Dudal] had to pitch under some stress today, but our defense was terrific, and that's all a pitcher can ask for."

"It was great to see the offense continue to add on late. Games are never over in this league, so when there is an opportunity to score, it's a must."

Cougar starter Devin Dudal (3-0) pitched in-and-out of trouble in his five innings. Thanks to four double plays the junior allowed just two runs, one earned, after scattering eight Flagler hits. 

After CSU went up 1-0 on a Wilbanks single in the second, the Saints tied things an inning later on a two-out RBI single from Aaron Anderson. 

It was in the fourth that the Cougars jump out to a 4-1 lead. Bullock drew a walk on four pitches before another Wilbanks base hit. Following a sacrifice bunt from McDade, Kirley drove in Bullock to put CSU on top. A bases-loaded walk from Bouton and a sacrifice fly from Brooks added two more for the Cougars.

Flagler's (9-4, 2-3) best chance would come in the sixth. After another RBI single from Anderson, Noah Windhorst entered the game in relief for Dudal. The freshman would issue two walks to load the bases with one out before the Cougars turned their biggest double play of the day. Josh Shrouder chopped a grounder to Bouton at short where the freshman started the 6-4-3 DP. 

Windhorst breezed through the final three innings to record his first collegiate save. The Griffin, Ga. native logged four innings of work allowing just two hits while picking up three strikeouts.

At the plate, five Cougars had two hits led by Kirley's 2-for-3 performance at the plate. The sophomore drove in four while picking up a double. Horne (2-for-4, 2 runs, RBI, 2B), McDade (2-for-3, run, RBI, 2B), and Bullock (2-for-4, 3 runs, 2 RBIs, HR) all had an extra-base hit in the game.

Up Next

Columbus State will look for the series sweep over Flagler on Sunday. First pitch is at 1 p.m. at Ragsdale Field at Burger King Stadium.

Cougar Trends & Notes 

• The win secures Columbus State's third straight series victory. The Cougars will look for their first series sweep of the season on Sunday.
• Columbus State leads the nation with 16 turned doubles plays so far in 2020. 
• It was the second time this season that CSU turned four double plays in a game. CSU also had four in the opening weekend against Catawba. 
• It was the third time this season that Windhorst pitched three or more innings out of the bullpen. This season, he has pitched 13.1 innings and holds a 2.70 ERA. 
• CSU has won all four starts made by Dudal this season. The righty has won two straight decisions. 
• It was the first four-RBI game for Kirley in his career. 
• Three Cougars currently have 13 RBIs on the year. Bouton, Bullock, and Kirley are all tied for eighth in the PBC in runs batted in. 
• Six of the 11 Cougar runs came with two outs.
• The 11 runs tied a season-high for Columbus State.