Back Again
Last season, the Cougars were rolling when the COVID-19 pandemic halted the year. Through 21 games, CSU was 18-3 and ranked as high as 11th in the nation.
Heavy Hitters
Seven members of last year's lineup return for Columbus State, including 2019 All-Peach Belt Conference selections Robert Brooks and Dane Bullock. Brooks hit .329 in 20 games in 2020 with a team-high 22 runs, while picking up 11 RBIs with a .957 OPS. Bullock had the second-highest OPS in the lineup (.979) and led the PBC with 11 doubles.
Fully Loaded
The pitching staff will be fully intact with all three weekend starters back in Columbus for the 2021 season. Jamie Boatright (3-0, 4.40 ERA), Devin Dudal (5-0, 3.44 ERA) and Jalen Latta (4-0, 2.25 ERA) make up one of the most experienced staffs in the league. Tyler Cadenhead (2-1, 1.96 ERA) and reliever Brady Kais (10.2 IP, 0.00 ERA) also return for the Cougars.
Preseason Favorites
The Cougars earned nine of the possible first-place votes to grab the top spot in the preseason PBC coaches poll. It's the second straight year that CSU has been tabbed as the preseason favorites. The University of North Georgia was second followed by UNC Pembroke and Georgia College.
Cougars in the Polls
Columbus State is ranked inside the top-20 in all three major Division II polls to begin the season.
Collegiate Baseball - 9th
National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association - 18th
Perfect Game - 9th
On a Roll
The Cougars will enter the series on an 11-game winning streak dating back to last year. During the streak, CSU is outscoring its opponents 77-21.
Turn Two
The Cougars have been one of the nation's best fielding teams over the past few seasons, including having a knack for turning two. Since leading the nation in double plays in 2016, CSU has finished inside the top-10 on two more occasions, with the Cougars ranking third in 2020 after producing 23 DP's.
Head Man in Charge
Head coach Greg Appleton is now in his 24th season in charge of the Cougar program. Already the winningest coach in Columbus State and PBC history, Appleton holds an 821-433 record at CSU and is 52 wins away from 1,000 in his collegiate coaching career. Under Appleton, the Cougars have made four trips to the Division II College World Series, including a national championship in 2002 and appearances in the national title games in 2007 and 2018.
On the Road Again
Columbus State played only four true road games in 2020 going 3-1.
Season Openers
The Cougars are 16-7 under Appleton in season-openers, including defeating St. Leo University 10-7 last season. It's also the second straight year CSU is beginning the year in Florida after not having done so since the 1995 season.
One of the Bests
Since the inception of the program in 1970, the Cougars have put together an all-time program of 1,722-953-5 for a winning percentage of .643. CSU has reached 26 NCAA Regionals and eight NCAA DII College World Series, with a national championship in 2002. Columbus State is one of two NCAA DII programs to finish inside the top-20 in wins in each of the past five decades.
Active Streaks
Multiple Cougars will carry over active on-base and hitting streaks
Hitting Streaks (min. 5 games)
David Meadows - 7 games
On-Base Streaks (min. 7 games)
Isaac Bouton - 11 games
Robert Brooks - 8 games
Matthew McDade - 8 games
David Meadows - 7 games
