FLORENCE, S.C. - The 23rd-ranked Columbus State University baseball team and Francis Marion University split a pair of games a part of a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader on Saturday to begin a three-game series at Sparrow Stadium.

The Cougars took the opener 16-5 in seven innings before FMU (15-15, 13-15 PBC) won the second 9-6.

"We let things get away from us for a moment in the second game, but we are still in a good position heading into tomorrow," commented head coach Greg Appleton. "Our hitters did a good job at the plate today, but we have to find some more timely hits, and then execute our game plan on the mound."

Game One (CSU 16-5/F 7 Innings)

It was an inauspicious start for the Cougars in game one as Francis Marion found a first-inning run off of starter Jalen Latta. A leadoff single turned into the game's first run on a two-out hit by Darius Nobles to put the Patriots up.

However, the Cougars took control from there, scoring at least one run over the next four innings. After two FMU errors contributed to two Cougar runs in the second, CSU put three more on the board in the third to move ahead 5-1. Robert Brooks started the scoring in the third with a solo homer before the next three Cougar hitters found a base hit. Steven Minter doubled, while back-to-back singles from David Meadows and Dane Bullock added two more runs. 

In the fourth, Meadows collected his second hit in as many innings, with a two-run single to right that pushed the margin to 7-1. 

Things became interesting in the sixth as the Patriots loaded the bases against Latta on two singles and a walk. Trystan Freman did his best to put Francis Marion back in the game, smacking a grand slam to left to make an 8-5 game.

The Cougars didn't waste any time answering. In the seventh, CSU erupted for an eight-spot to help reach the needed 10-run margin for the mercy-rule victory. The first seven hitters reached in the frame, including Minter who laced his second double of the game into the right-centerfield gap to plate two runs. After CSU took an 11-5 lead, back-to-back doubles by Will Wilbanks and Matthew McDade scored three more Cougars before the first out of the inning was recorded. Colby Brabston picked up an RBI single in the inning, while the final run came across on a throwing error.

Noah Windhorst struck out the side to secure the win for Latta and the Cougars. Latta (3-3) picked up his second straight victory after a 6-inning start on Saturday. The lefty allowed five runs on eight hits, while striking out four.

Minter (4-for-5, four runs, 3 RBIs, 2 2Bs) led CSU at the plate, while Meadows (2-for-4, 3 runs, 2 SBs) and McDade (1-for-2, run, 2B) both drove in three.

Game Two (FMU 9-6)

Both teams scored two in the first as neither starter could find a rhythm to open the game. The Cougars found some two-out magic in their half of the first. After Isaac Bouton began the game with a single, back-to-back flyouts put two outs on the board, and brought Minter to the plate. The first-baseman continued his torrid day at the plate, keeping a double fair down the left-field line to bring home Bouton. Meadows followed with a single to make it 2-0.

Francis Marion followed with a four-hit first inning to even the score. CSU starter Tyler Cadenhead nearly stranded a pair before back-to-back two-out singles tied the game.

The Patriots took their first lead of the game in the third after back-to-back singles started a rally. Todd Mattox brought home Will Hardee with FMU's third straight hit of the inning before a groundout helped chase home another Patriot run.

Columbus State (20-10, 15-10) scored a run in the fourth but had an opportunity to do some more damage. Leadoff singles by Meadows and Bullock put the Cougars in business, however, Weston Rogers induced a double-play ball, putting two outs on the board. McDade was able to come through though with a two-out single to cut into FMU's lead.

Francis Marion made it 6-3 in the fifth before a two-run homer by Mattox gave the Patriots an 8-3 lead. 

The Cougars didn't make things easier for Francis Marion late. In the seventh, CSU answered an FMU run in the sixth on a bases-loaded walk from Bullock. Columbus State stranded the bases loaded after not finding another two-out hit. The Cougars had the tying run at the plate in the eighth after a Bouton double and an error brought CSU within three. Reece Kleinhelter was able to strike out Meadows to keep Francis Marion in front.

Bullock had a leadoff single in the ninth, but that was it for the Cougars.

Bouton (3-for-5, 3 runs, 2B), Minter (3-for-5, run, RBI 2B) and Meadows (3-for-5, RBI) all had three hits for CSU.

Cadenhead (2-3) took the loss after allowing five runs in 2.1 innings of work. Devin Dudal (3.2 IP, 4 R, 3 ER) and Colton Joyner (2 IP, 5 Ks) also made appearances for Columbus State.

UP NEXT
Columbus State and Francis Marion will close out the series on Sunday at 1 p.m.

COUGAR NOTES
• Minter went a combined 7-for-10 on Saturday with three doubles, four RBIs and scored five times. 
• The transfer set a new season-high in hits with four in the opener and leads the team with five 3+ hit games. 
• Meadows was also hot at the plate extending his hitting streak to seven games. The third baseman was 5-for-9 and has multiple hits in four of his last five games.
• Eight of the nine starters for CSU had a hit in game one.
• The Cougars stole a season-high five bases in game one.
• Bouton has now reached base in 41 straight games dating back to the 2020 season. He drew a walk in his final plate appearance to extend the streak in Saturday's opener.
• Brooks hit his 38th career homer in game one. It was his third straight game with a homer and the 15th of the season.
• Latta tied Windhorst for the team lead in wins. He has pitched six or more innings in each of his last seven starts.