COLUMBUS - Jamie Boatright tossed seven strong innings as the Columbus State University baseball team capped off a three-game Peach Belt Conference sweep over Flagler with a 2-1 victory on Sunday. The series took place at Ragsdale Field at Burger King Stadium.
Boatright made two-second inning runs hold up for the Cougars as the lefty picked up his second win of the year.
"That's the best we have seen Jamie throw," said head coach Greg Appleton. "The whole team is happy for the guy because it's been a long road back for him after injuries."
"We are playing well, and finding different ways to win games. It's always nice to get a sweep, but we need to come back here Wednesday with the same intensity for our midweek game against Montevallo."
After Columbus State (10-3, 5-1 PBC) went down in order in the first, the Cougar bats woke up with a hustle one-out double from senior Drew Webb. Following Dane Bullock reaching first thanks to an error, Bryce Delevie poked a single through the right side of the infield to score the game's first run.
Flagler had a chance to get out of the inning with a double play, but an error on the throw to first allowed Bullock to cross the plate.
The Saints (9-5, 2-4 PBC) had plenty of runners on the base paths, but couldn't get Boatright to crack. FC had a runner in scoring position in each of the first five innings, but Boatright nearly worked himself out of trouble in each frame. The only blemish came in the fifth after Flagler manufactured a run following a Connor Laspina leadoff single. A stolen base and two groundouts made it a 2-1 game.
Boatright finished his day strong by retiring nine of the final 10 batters he faced. In his fourth start of the season, he allowed just the one run on four hits while issuing two walks. The sophomore punched out a pair of Flagler hitters.
Appleton turned the game over to his bullpen over the final two innings. Tyler Cadenhead was the first one out, and following a leadoff single, got a double-play ball to erase the threat. Brady Kais would then take over to get the final out of the inning.
Flagler made Columbus State and Kais work in the top of the ninth. Jaiden Ward got things started with a leadoff single before a sacrifice bunt and a deep flyout to center put the tying run 90 feet away. However, Kais struck out pinch-hitter Matthew Burke on four pitches to pick up his second save of the year.
The Cougars only had four hits on the day with Delevie (1-for-3, RBI) driving in the only run. Isaac Bouton (1-for-4) and Webb (1-for-3, run) each had a double.
Up Next
Columbus State will look to move to 6-1 over its last seven games when Montevallo comes to town for a midweek game on Wednesday, Feb. 26. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m. at Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field.
Cougar Notes & Trends
- Over the series, the Cougar pitching staff allowed just four runs while racking up 19 strikeouts. CSU surrendered just one extra-base hit.
- Webb was the lone Cougar to record a hit in all three games. The senior is currently on a six-game hitting streak.
- The seven-inning performance tied Boatright's career-long start. He tossed seven scoreless innings against Barton in the opening weekend.Â
- Kais has made five scoreless appearances for the Cougars tossing 5.2 innings. It was his first four-out save of the year.
- With runners on base, Columbus State kept Flagler hitless over the afternoon. The Saints were 0-for-18 with runners on, including a 0-for-14 mark against Boatright.
- The series sweep was the first for the Cougars since March 1-2, 2019 when CSU swept Augusta in Columbus.Â
- Columbus State now leads the all-time series 20-12 over Flagler.
