COLUMBUS - Jalen Latta threw seven or more innings for the third consecutive start as the Columbus State University baseball team won its fifth game in a row defeating Lander 3-2 Friday night. The Peach Belt Conference game took place at Ragsdale Field at Burger King Stadium in Columbus.

Latta, who improved to 3-0 on the year, tossed eight strong innings against one of the top offenses in the conference. The lefty finished the night with six strikeouts while working around six hits. He didn't allow a hit over his final two innings of work, including recording three strikeouts.

"Our pitching has been great over the past week or so, and Jalen is certainly no exception to that," commented head coach Greg Appleton. "When your starter goes out there and throws seven or more innings, you are going to like your chances."

"We got enough hits to win tonight, but we got to find ways to drive in some more runs when we have the opportunity."

After Columbus State (12-3, 6-1 PBC) turned its nation-leading 19th double-play in the first, the Cougars had a chance to take an early lead. Robert Brooks started a two-out rally that eventually loaded the bases, however, Bearcat starter Justin Walker got a strikeout to escape the threat.

Roury Glanton would quickly make CSU pay with the first at-bat in the second. Glanton sent a high, towering solo home run to left to put Lander (10-5, 4-2) in front. 

CSU didn't waste any time tying the game at one. Matthew McDade ripped a double down the left-field line with one-out before using his speed on the base paths. Thanks to two wild pitches, McDade scampered around to score.

The two teams would again trade single runs in the third. CSU and Latta limited the damage to just one in the third after taking advantage of Lander's aggressiveness on the base paths. With a runner on second and two outs, Evan Harold singled to right field setting up a play at the plate. Drew Webb's throw was just off track, but Brooks was able to fire a throw down to second to erase the advancing Harold to retire the side.

It was a great start to the bottom of the third for the Cougars. Isaac Bouton hit a dribbler in front of the plate causing a throwing error to advance to second. Brooks followed with his second hit of the day to put runners on the corners for Bryson Horne. Horne did his job, sending a fly ball to right field for a sacrifice fly tying the game at two.

Things continued to look positive for the Cougars as Webb doubled to put two in scoring position. However, Walker was able to work out of the situation.

After both teams squandered chances, Columbus State took its first lead of the night in the fifth. With one out, Webb sent a single to left before swiping second. After a flyout moved the senior to third, Will Wilbanks came through with the clutch two-out hit. The lefty poked a looper that fell just out of the reach of the centerfielder to put the Cougars up 3-2.

Lander would put a runner on base in three out of the final four innings, but the CSU pitching staff was able to steal a couple of outs. In the top of the seventh, Latta erased a leadoff walk after picking off Gregory. The biggest base running error by the Bearcats came on the final play of the game. After Colton Yeager was able to extend the game with a two-out single off of Cougar closer Brady Kais, Kais quickly fooled pinch-runner Garry Garrett, picking off the substitute to secure the victory.

Kais recorded his third save of the year with his scoreless inning.

At the plate, Webb was 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored while David Meadows was 2-for-4. 

Up Next

Columbus State and Lander will meet in the middle game of the three-game series on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. at Ragsdale Field at Burger King Stadium.

Cougar Notes & Trends

• In his last four starts, Latta is 3-0 in 28 innings of work. The Columbus native has allowed just five runs during the time to post a 1.61 ERA. He currently leads the PBC in innings pitched (33) and is third in strikeouts (35).
• The Cougars were 3-for-12 with runners in scoring position on Friday. Only Wilbank's go-ahead single in the fifth plated any runs for the Cougars while runners when on second or third.
• Columbus State's pitching staff has allowed two runs or fewer in five straight games.
• It was the fourth time this season the Cougars hit three doubles in a game.
• Connor Kirley has reached base in 13 straight games. The sophomore currently leads the Cougars with a .367 batting average.
• After having four three-hit games last season, Webb picked up his first of his senior season. In his Cougar career, the Columbus native has seven three-hit performances.
• Columbus State has won eight of the previous nine games over Lander. The Cougars lead the all-time series 35-27 after Friday.