COLUMBUS - The 23^rd-ranked Columbus State University baseball team scored four second-inning runs and never looked back as the Cougars defeated Montevallo 9-1 Wednesday night. The non-conference game took place at Ragsdale Field at Burger King Stadium.

Dane Bullock led off the inning with a solo homer to left field before four straight base hits, including a run-scoring single by David Meadows and a two-run single up the middle by freshman Isaac Bouton gave the Cougars a 4-0 lead.

In the third, it was Meadows again driving in runs for the Cougars. With the bases loaded and two-outs, the junior ripped a single to right to pick up his second and third RBIs of the afternoon.

The run support would be more than enough for Columbus State (11-3) starter Tyler Cadenhead. The senior retired the side in order in the third and fifth while working around a double in the fourth.

Montevallo's (8-5) lone run came in the sixth thanks in part to a Cougar error. After UM got the leadoff hitter to second on a throwing error, a single set up a play at the plate. Senior Drew Webb would throw a rocket to Robert Brooks at the plate to preserve a shutout. However, an RBI double on the next at-bat made it a 6-1 game.

Columbus State added three more insurance runs in the eighth to secure the victory after a sloppy inning by the Falcons. Three walks, two wild pitches, and an error helped the Cougars plate the runs. 

Cadenhead (1-1) picked up his first victory of the year after seven strong innings. He walked just one while limiting Montevallo to four hits. He struck out four. Nick Adams (1 IP, 1 K) and Russell Forthofer (1 IP, 1 K) followed Cadenhead out of the bullpen.

At the plate, the first three Cougars hitters in the order all recorded two hits. Meadows (2-for-4, 2 runs, 2B, 3 RBIs), Bouton (2-for-4, run, 2 RBIs), and Brooks (2-for-4, run, 2B) all had productive days.

Up Next

Columbus State will continue its season-long homestand by hosting Lander in a three-game Peach Belt Conference series. The first game will be on Friday, Feb. 28 at 6 p.m. at Ragsdale Field at Burger King Stadium.

Cougar Notes & Trends

• It was Columbus State's fourth straight win. The Cougars are 8-2 over their past 10 games. 
• Cadenhead improves to 4-0 in his career against Montevallo. Over his last two starts against the Falcons, he has tossed 15 innings allowing just two earned runs.
• The first three hitters in CSU's lineup went 6-for-12 with five RBIs and four runs scored on Wednesday.
• CSU earned nine walks at the plate. It's the second time this season they have drawn nine free passes (Florida Southern, Feb. 8).
• Connor Kirley has reached base in 12 straight games.
• Bullock has three homers over the past five games.
• Columbus State has won five straight over Montevallo and leads the all-time series 28-14 following the win.