GREENWOOD, S.C. - The No. 9 Columbus State University baseball team split a doubleheader with Lander University on Saturday. The Peach Belt Conference series is taking place at Dolny Stadium.

A two-run homer by Colby Brabston in the ninth lifted the Cougars (3-1, 3-1 PBC) to a 10-9 victory in game one before Lander cruised to a 17-4 win in the nightcap.

"That was an exciting win to begin the day, but it would've been nice to have a better performance to close it out," commented head coach Greg Appleton. "Lander is a very good team and plays really well in this ballpark. Tomorrow is an important day, and we need to come out ready."

Game 1 - CSU 10-9

The Cardiac Cougars were back at it to begin the series. After Columbus State stranded the bases loaded in the second, Lander put the first runs on the board in the third. The first three Bearcats reached off of CSU starter Jalen Latte, including an RBI single by Walker McDowell to make it 1-0. A sacrifice fly pushed across another before Latta escape without further damage.

The two sides traded singles runs in the fourth. Dane Bullock hit his first homer of the year for the Cougars in the top half of the frame.

Lander attempted to run away with things in the fifth. A two-run error played a large role in the three-run inning that pushed the lead to 6-1.

The Cougars had different plans though as the bats exploded for seven runs in the sixth. After Robert Brook was hit by a pitch to lead things off, the next five hitters recorded a hit. Bullock had an RBI single to drive in his second run of the game, while a two-run triple by Steven Minter made it 6-4. 

The hit parade continued with Isaac Bouton bringing the Cougars within one, thanks to a single to right. LU's defense would falter later in the frame to allow Bouton to cross the plate to tie the game.

With two Cougars in scoring position, Nick Tressler came to the plate looking to do damage. The first-year Cougar delivered, singling into the left-centerfield gap to give Columbus State an 8-6 lead.

The back-and-forth affair continued as a three-run homer run by Rory Glanton in the bottom of the sixth put the Bearcats back ontop 9-8.

Things were looking grim for the Columbus State and reliever Zach Brockman in the eighth. Two hit batters and an infield single loaded the bases with no-outs for Lander. However, Brockman settled in to strikeout the next three hitters to give the Cougars a chance in the ninth.

Lander was one out away from a series-opening win until Brooks doubled to left to bring Brabston to the plate. The second-year freshman would get down to his final strike before lifting a go-ahead homer just out of the reach of the left fielder. 

Cougar closer Brady Kais pitched a perfect ninth to secure the 10-9 CSU victory.

Brabston (2-for-5, 2-run HR, 2 runs) and Bullock (2-for-5, HR, 2 RBIs, 2 runs) led the Cougar offense. Five other players had a hit, while Tressler and Minter each had two RBIs.

Latta lasted four innings in the start. The lefty allowed three runs on five hits. Brockman (1-0) picked up the win after escaping the jam in the eighth. 

Glanton was 2-for-3 with four RBIs for the Bearcats.

Game 2 - LU 17-4 

Lander (6-2, 3-1 PBC scored a run in every inning in game two, including three or more in four straight, to go on for the 17-4 win. 

The Bearcats were already up 1-0 before Streater hit a solo homer in the second off of Cougar starter Devin Dudal. Glanton also had an RBI in the frame. 

After three more Lander runs in the third, Columbus State attempted a comeback. Brooks was plunked with a pitch to lead off the inning and moved to third on a Bullock double down the left field line. Minter followed with a double of his own to score the pair before Bouton made it 6-3 with an RBI single up the middle.

The CSU staff couldn't get the shutdown inning it needed in the bottom half of the frame. Lander scored three more with the pitching staff assisting by issuing three walks.

Lander used the long ball to put the game out of reach. In the fifth, a two-run homer by Bo Ritchey made it 13-3, while Evan Harold blasted a three-run shot to cap off the scoring in the sixth. 

Bullock (2-for-3, 2B run), Minter (2-for-3, 2B, 2 RBIs, 2 runs) and Bouton (2-for-2, 3B, RBI) combined for all of CSU's hits.

Dudal (0-1) allowed three runs over two innings. 

Marshall Thompson (3-1) pitched all seven innings to record the win. He struck out eight Cougars.

Ward Betts drove in four, while Harold and Richey both had three RBIs.

NEXT UP
The Cougars and Bearcats will play the rubber game of the series on Sunday. First pitch is at 1 p.m.

Cougar Notes
• Bullock had two hits in both games on Saturday as the senior went 4-for-8 with two extra-base hits. He has now recorded a hit in nine straight games dating back to 2020.
• Second-year freshman Bouton had his second multi-hit game in the loss. He currently leads the team with a .455 average and extended his on-base streak to 15 games.
• Minter has driven in two in three of the four games so far this season. He leads CSU with six RBIs in 2021.
• Six of CSU's seven home runs this year have come with no-runners on. Brabston's go-ahead homer in the ninth was the first multi-run round-tripper of the season for the Cougars.
• Columbus State's pitching staff issued seven walks in both games. In game two, CSU hit five LU hitters.
• The Cougars' winning streak came to an end at 14 games.