DAHLONEGA, Ga. - It was a record-breaking performance for the Columbus State University baseball team on Saturday. The fourth-seeded Cougars scored a Peach Belt Conference Tournament record 25 runs to route 22nd-ranked and second-seeded University of North Georgia 25-5 in the opening game of the PBC Tournament championship series presented by Under Armor.

Led by a six-hit day by Isaac Bouton and a seven-RBI performance by Dane Bullock, the Cougars are now one win away from the program's sixth conference tournament championship. Both Bouton and Bullock set or tied tournament records in the game, while CSU's 23 hits are the fourth-most ever in a PBC postseason game.  

"These guys came out to play," added head coach Greg Appleton. "It's nice being in the driver's seat, but this thing isn't over at all. UNG is a talented team, and they are going to come back tomorrow looking for some revenge. Tomorrow is a new day, and the slate is clean. We got to be prepared to play another solid game."

Columbus State (28-14) scored at least one run in seven innings, including putting a three-spot in the run column in four different frames. The tone was set with a Bouton leadoff double to jumpstart a four-run first. Steven Minter knocked in the first run of the day, while a three-run, two-out double by Will Wilbanks cleared the bases to extend the lead.

UNG got right back in the game in its half of the inning as the first two batters singled off of Cougar starter Jalen Latta. Things didn't get better from there with Andres Perez smacking a three-run homer to center to make it a one-run game. However, Latta settled in to send the game to the second. 

In the second, the Cougars used the long ball to add two more runs. Bouton sent a solo blast to right, while Brooks went to left field to tie the nation's lead with his 21st home run of the year.

The Cougars put the game away in the fourth, scoring seven runs to take a 13-3 lead. UNG starter Cade Heil didn't do himself any favors by issuing two walks and allowing a hit by Colby Brabston to load the bases early in the inning. After a pitching change, Minter drew a walk to force home a run, while a wild pitch made it 8-3. Another walk reloaded the bases for Bullock, who hit a grand slam to left to break the game opener. Wilbanks got in on the action following a pitching change, going deep to left-center to give the Cougars back-to-back jacks.

Latta threw up his fourth straight scoreless frame in the bottom of the fourth before Minter hit CSU's fifth homer of the day to add to the lead.

In the sixth, the first six Cougar hitters reached base, including Bouton, who found his third hit of the game to make it 15-3. Two more runs crossed the plate in the inning with Minter and Bullock each picking up RBIs.

North Georgia (30-14) scored a run in the sixth, but Columbus State answered in the seventh with a two-run double by Bouton to increase the lead to 19-4. 

The Cougars went on to set the numerous record in the eighth, thanks to six more runs. Bouton recorded his sixth hit after an RBI single to left, while a bases-loaded walk from Minter and a single from David Meadows gave CSU the tournament record for runs in a game. Bullock added to the lead and picked up his seventh RBI on a two-run single to tie the tournament record.

Every Cougar starter had at least one hit with Bullock (7), Bouton (5) and Minter (5) all driving in five. Bouton tallied 12 total bases after three doubles, a homer, and two singles. Bullock was 4-for-6 and Minter was 3-for-4.

Latta (5-4) picked up his second win of the PBC Tournament after tossing five innings. The senior struck out six while allowing four runs on nine hits. Jake Hershman (2 IP, 1 ER), Dalton Bradford (1 IP) and Nick Watson-Garcia (1 IP) combined to throw the final four innings.

Columbus State also set the PBC Tournament record for most RBIs (24) and became the seventh team to hit five or more homers in a PBC postseason game. Bouton's three doubles also tied the tournament record. 

The Cougars' 25 runs are a season-high and are the most since scoring 28 against Tuskegee University on March 10, 2015. 

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Columbus State will look to cap of the series and punch its ticket to the NCAA Southeast Regional on Sunday. First pitch of game two between the Cougars and Nighthawks is at 1 p.m. at Bob Stein Stadium with the if-necessary game following 30 minutes.