GREENWOOD, S.C. - Lander University scored three runs in the eighth and ninth innings to come from behind to defeat the No. 9 Columbus State University baseball team on Sunday. The three-game Peach Belt Conference series took place at Dolny Stadium.

After the Cougars (3-2, 3-2 PBC) broke open a one-run game with a five-spot in the seventh, the Bearcats stormed back against the CSU bullpen. 

"This was a disappointing way to end a series," commented head coach Greg Appleton. "It's hard to lose games in that fashion, but we are going to have to bounce back next weekend at home."

The Cougars entered the seventh up 5-4 before doubling its run total to take a six-run lead. LU's pitching staff helped the cause with three walks, including one with the bases loaded, an error as well as hitting a batter. Isaac Bouton had a two-run single to close out the scoring in the frame. 

The eighth had an inauspicious start for the Cougars as Bo Richey reached via an error to lead off the inning, but back-to-back outs gave the Cougars a chance to go into the ninth still up six. However, three straight doubles by the Bearcats made it 10-8.

Things didn't get better in the ninth. Evan Harold greeted Cougar closer Brady Kais with another double before Ward Betts drew a walk. Kais would strikeout Richey, but a Mason Streater two-bagger made it a 10-9 game. Pinch-hitter Justin Wager would follow with the walk-off two-run single to give the Bearcats the series victory.

Columbus State began the scoring on Sunday in the second on a Matthew McDade single to left. David Meadows also scored later in the inning on a LU error. 

After the Bearcats got a run back in their half of the second, the Cougars turned to the long ball in the third to add to its lead. Robert Brooks and Steven Minter both jacked solo homers to push the advantage to 4-1. 

The Bearcats hit a homer of their own in the third as Harold went deep over the right field wall for a two-run blast. 

Both teams scored a single run in the sixth before the exciting final third of the game. Bouton and Walker McDowell each had RBI singles for their respective teams. 

Bouton (2-for-5, 2B, 3 RBIs), Minter (2-for-5, 2B, HR, 2 runs) and Meadows (2-for-4, 2 runs) all had two hits for Columbus State. Connor Kirley picked up two RBIs after a 1-for-2 performance with two walks.

Jamie Boatright allowed three runs over four innings of work in his first start of the season. Noah Windhorst tossed three innings, allowing five runs on seven hits. Kais (0-1) took the loss after surrendering three runs in the ninth. 

Streater was 3-for-5 with three doubles, while Harold was 2-for-5 with an RBI double and solo homer.

UP NEXT
Columbus State will play its first home games of the 2021 season next weekend as Augusta University comes to Columbus for a three-game series. Game one of the set is on Friday, March 5 at 5 p.m.

Cougar Notes
• It's the first series the Cougars have dropped since April 26-28, 2019 (at Georgia College).
• CSU continues to find the solo home runs. With two more on Sunday, eight of Columbus State's nine homers have come with no one on base.
• Minter has been an extra-base hit machine in his first year as a Cougar. Through five games, the transfer has four extra-base hits, including a team-high three doubles. 
• All six of Brooks' hits this year have gone for extra-bases. He has four homers to pace the lineup and moved into a tie for 10th all-time in CSU history with 27 in his career. 
• Columbus State's pitching staff struggled this weekend. The Cougars allowed 37 runs in 31.1 innings of work. CSU issued 18 walks to add to the 41 Bearcat hits.
• Dane Bullock extended his hitting streak to 10 games, while Bouton has now reached base in 16 straight games. 
• Columbus State remains ahead in the all-time series against the Bearcats 38-30. LU improves to 21-14 versus the Cougars in Greenwood.