ORANGEBURG, S.C. - The No. 25 Columbus State University baseball team scored in five different innings, including seven in the third, in a 17-6 victory over Claflin University on Friday. The first game of the Peach Belt Conference series took place at Mirmow Field.

After each side plated two runs in the second, Columbus State (11-6, 9-6 PBC) broke the game open in the third. The first eight batters in the inning reached base, with the big blow coming on a Will Wilbanks grand slam that broke the two-all tie. Matthew McDade picked up a two-run double following the homer, while the seventh and final run of the inning came across on an error. 

Claflin (1-20, 1-20) would respond with a two-run homer in its half of the third, but that would be all the Panthers would get off of Cougar starter Jalen Latta. The senior allowed just one hit after the third in his seven-inning outing to record his first victory of the season. Latta struck out seven while allowing four runs (three earned) on four hits. 

Columbus State began adding on late in the game. In the sixth, the Cougars scored three more to make it 12-4. Colby Brabston and McDade each had RBI-singles in the frame. 

The Cougars showed their power in the seventh. Steven Minter hit a leadoff homer before Robert Brooks smacked his ninth of the season that also scored Isaac Bouton to up the margin to 15-4.

It was the Brooks who stuck again in the eighth. Connor Kirley started the inning by legging out an infield hit while Bouton drew a walk to bring the Cougar catcher to the plate. On a 1-1 pitch, Brooks laced a double into the gap in right-center to chase both runners home.

Brooks finished the game with a 4-for-5 performance with four RBIs. Brabston (2-for-4, 3 runs, RBI, 2 SB), David Meadows (2-for-4, 2 runs), McDade (2-for-6, 2B, 3 RBIs) and Kirley (2-for-4) all had two hits.

Colton Joyner (2 ER, 4 hits, 3 K's) tossed the final two innings for Columbus State.

Gerardic Dobbs (3-for-4, 2 RBIs, 3 runs) had three of Claflin's eight hits.

UP NEXT
Columbus State and Clafin wrap up the series on Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m.

COUGAR NOTES
• The win snapped a five-game road losing streak for the Cougars.
• The 17 runs and 16 hits are season highs for Columbus State.
• It was the fourth time that the Cougars slugged three or more home runs in a game. 
• Brooks now has two four-hit games for the Cougars this season. The junior also went 4-for-5 against Augusta University on March 5.
• Latta recorded his 12th win in his career on Friday night.
• Bouton has reached base in 28 straight games for the Cougars.
• The Cougars have scored eight or more runs in three consecutive games.