COLUMBUS - Florida Southern broke a 2-2 tie with a pair of runs in the sixth and seventh to grab a 6-3 victory over the Columbus State University baseball team. The non-conference game took place at Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field on Friday. 

After being held hitless over the first four innings, the Cougars (3-1) took a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the fifth. Back-to-back singles from Drew Webb and Dane Bullock got things rolling, but a fielding miscue allowed the Cougars to capitalize. With one-out, Matthew McDade hit a chopper to third base where Zach Scott fielded and tagged the bag for an out, but his throw to first was wild extending the inning. 

Columbus State continued to make Florida Southern pay as Connor Kirley legged out an infield single to plate Bullock while David Meadows knocked in McDade to put CSU on top.

Florida Southern (5-0) tied it in the sixth before using the long ball to hurt the Cougars in the seventh. Jacob Teter and Zach Diewert each hit a solo homer to put the Mocs in front 4-2.

The Cougars had a chance in the seventh after a one-out Will Wilbanks double and a McDade walk put a runner into scoring position for CSU. Florida Southern escaped the jam thanks to a double play.

Dylan Costa gave FSC a 6-2 lead in the eight before the Cougars threatened once again. With just one hit, a Bryson Horne double, the Cougars loaded the bases with two outs to bring up Bullock. The senior drew a full-count walk to force in a run, but a strikeout retired the side. 

In the bottom of the ninth, CSU brought the tying run to the plate before Thomas Spinelli punched out back-to-back hitters to save the game. 

Columbus State starter Jalen Latta pitched around trouble all day but did a great job to limit the damage. For the second straight game, the lefty tied a career-high in strikeouts with eight in six innings of work. He allowed two runs on seven his while walking three. Zach Brockman capped off the game for CSU on the mound with 1.2 scoreless innings. 

Seven different Cougars recorded hits in the game. Bullock (1-for-3, run), Meadows (1-for-5), Kirley (1-for-4) all drove in runs.

Columbus State will look to even the series on Saturday. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field.