AUGUSTA, Ga. - The No. 14 Columbus State University baseball team rallied from an early 5-1 hole to defeat Augusta 9-5 on Sunday afternoon. The Peach Belt Conference game took place at Jaguar Field in Augusta, Ga.

With the win, the Cougars have now won 10 in a row and have swept three consecutive PBC series.

"The guys had to play with some adversity because we were down big for the first time in what it seems to feel like forever," commented head coach Greg Appleton. "They responded though, which is great to see as a staff."

"Bryson [Horne] continues to tear the cover off the ball. He has been a great addition to the lineup." 

Columbus State (17-3, 11-1 PBC) did jump out to 1-0 lead in the top of the first. With two outs, Robert Brooks laced a double to left field to bring up the red hot Horne. The lefty delivered like he has done all season long for the Cougars with a single into right to plate Brooks.

After a solid opening inning, Jamie Boatright struggled in the second. Two walks and a single loaded the bases before an out was recorded in the frame. Boatright appeared to be working his way out of the inning with limited damage. However, a two-out bases-clearing double by Ben Markiewic put the Jaguars ahead 5-1.

Horne got one run back for the Cougars in the third, but the real damage came in the fifth. With David Meadows and Isaac Bouton on-base, Horne pulled a home run to right to tie things at five.

With the Cougar bullpen throwing zeros on the board, the bats went to work in the eighth. Matthew McDade greeted new Jag pitcher Joseph Pittman with a leadoff home to put CSU on top. From there, the Cougars never looked back. 

Following the homer, Columbus State loaded the bases with a single, walk, and a hit batsman to bring up Drew Webb. The senior gave CSU the insurance runs it needed with a double into the left-center gap to make it a 9-5 game.

From there, Miles Dutton and Brady Kais threw perfect innings to cap off the sweep.

Zack Brockman (1-0) allowed a leadoff single in the seventh, but retired the next three hitters he faced to secure the win. Nick Watson-Garcia was excellent in relief of Boatright, tossing two innings of one-hit ball. Boatright (4 IP, 5 R, 4 ER, 5 K's, 4 BB) was hit with the no-decision. 

Horne was a perfect 4-for-4 with five RBIs. David Meadows helped set the table all day in the leadoff spot going 4-for-6.

Up Next

Columbus State will have a midweek date with No. 17 West Georgia on Wednesday, March 11 at Ragsdale Field at Burger King Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 4 p.m.

Cougar Notes & Trends

• The Cougars have won 14 out of the last 16 games
• Over the series, Horne was 9-for-14 with two homers, 11 RBIs, and scored three times. He has drove in at least two runs in five straight games.
• In the three-games, the Cougar offense collected 12 doubles and three home runs. 
• It was the first time CSU has allowed five runs or more since Feb. 16, a span of 10 games.
• The Cougar bullpen pitched five scoreless innings allowing just two Jaguars to reach base. 
• Columbus State had a season-high 16 hits on Sunday. 
• Robert Brooks is on a seven-game hitting streak while Horne and Bouton have reached base in 13 and 10 straight games, respectively.