COLUMBUS - The No. 9 Columbus State University baseball team will play in a three-game Peach Belt Conference series on Saturday against Lander University in Greenwood, S.C.

The Cougars (2-0) began the season in Florida with a doubleheader sweep over Flagler College last weekend. CSU rallied to win both games, with fourth-year senior Robert Brooks leading the way by blasting three home runs.

Tickets for this weekend’s series are $5 and are on a first-come, first-serve basis at Dolny Stadium. Live video and statistics will be available through CSUCougars.com.

On a Roll
A prolonged offseason didn't slow the Cougars down during the opening weekend against Flagler. CSU carried over its winning ways from 2020, extending its winning streak to 13 games. 

Be Aware of the Long Ball
The Cougars slugged five homers in the two-game sweep of the Saints, including four in game two. Isaac Bouton and Win Johns joined Brooks with the round-trippers for the Cougars. In an oddity, all five were solo homers. 

Making a Statement
Brooks began his fourth year in a Cougar uniform in impressive style as the catcher went 4-for-8 with three extra-base hits. Despite Columbus State playing fewer games than the rest of the conference, the Marietta, Ga. native is tied for third in homers, while his 1.875 slugging percentage tops the league. Brooks has 26 homers in his Cougar career. 

Shutting Them Down
Columbus State's bullpen was called upon early last weekend and did an excellent job. In 10.1 innings, five different Cougar pitchers combined to allow just one run while punching out 10. Noah Windhorst continued his good work from last year as the second-year freshman recorded the win in game two. Over his last five outings, he has allowed 1 run in 12.1 innings of work. Brady Kais also extended his scoreless inning streak to 11.2 innings. 

Cougars in the Polls
Columbus State is ranked inside the top-20 in all three major Division II polls. The Cougars dropped two spots in the latest edition of the NCBWA poll after going 2-0 last weekend. 

Collegiate Baseball - 9th (preseason)
National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association - 20th (Feb. 24)
Perfect Game - 9th (Feb. 24)

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.

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 823-433 record at CSU and is 50 wins away from 1,000 in his collegiate coaching career when adding his totals from Young Harris College. 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.

One of the Bests
Since the inception of the program in 1970, the Cougars have put together an all-time program of 1,724-953-5 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 from the 2020 season into this weekend.

Hitting Streaks (min. 5 games)
Dane Bullock - 7 games

On-Base Streaks (min. 7 games)
Isaac Bouton - 13 games
Robert Brooks - 10 games
Matthew McDade - 10 games

• Lander began the season with five straight wins before suffering an 8-3 midweek loss on Tuesday versus Wingate. The Bearcats used eight pitchers in a bullpen game for their pitching staff.

• The weather also struck the Bearcats last weekend. LU won the first two games to open PBC play against Claflin University before the series finale was canceled due to rain. Lander outscored Claflin 18-4 in the two games.

• Through six games, Lander's offense has been one of the best in the PBC. The Bearcats average over 8.5 runs per game and rank second in total runs (52). Seven different players have four or more RBIs.

• Roury Glanton has been an extra-base hit machine for Lander. The senior has three doubles, two triples and two homers in 28 at-bats this year. He is hitting .393 and is tied for third in the PBC in hits (11).

• Ward Betts is nearly hitting .500 (11-for-23) with a pair of homers.

• On the hill, Marshall Thompson has started two games and has a 2-1 record for the Bearcats. He is one of two players (Justin Walker) who has 20 strikeouts to begin the year on the staff as LU is averaging 13.58 strikeouts per nine innings. Overall, Lander has the second-most strikeouts in the PBC (80).