TIGERVILLE, S.C. - The Columbus State University baseball team dropped its first game of the 2021 NCAA Southeast Regional on Thursday, falling 10-2 to 10th-ranked Catawba College.
Despite racking up nine hits, the sixth-seeded Cougars (29-15) pushed across just two runs against Catawba starter Bryan Ketchie. CSU will now play fifth-seeded UNC Pembroke on Friday at 11 a.m. in an elimination game.
Columbus State had six of its nine hits through the first two innings as the Cougars went ahead 1-0 in the second. With two outs and 
Dane Bullock on second, back-to-back singles plated the game's first run. 
Isaac Bouton drove in the run thanks to a hard-hit infield single.
However, the lead didn't last long. Catawba (33-9) gapped two doubles in the inning en route to a four-run frame. Luke Spiva had the big blow, a two-out double down the right-field line to make it a 3-1 score. Hunter Shepherd followed with a single against Cougar starter 
Jalen Latta to up the lead to 4-1.
The Indians broke it open in the fourth by taking a 9-1 lead. Cameron Mills had a two-run single, while Shepherd drove in two more with a double into right-centerfield. CSU reliever 
Noah Windhorst was able to get out the inning but not before another run score, thanks to a single by Jeremy Simpson.  
In the fifth, 
Robert Brooks smacked his 22nd homer of the year to remain tied for the nation's lead. 
Columbus State's bullpen was able to save some arms as Windhorst (3 IP, ER, 3 Ks) and 
Jamie Boatright (2 IP, 1 H, 1 K) combined to allow just one run in five innings of work. The Indians scored their 10th run of the game after an error extended the eighth.
Catawba retired the final 14 CSU hitters.
Brooks and 
David Meadows were both 2-for-4 on the night.
Latta (5-5) took the loss after allowing eight runs in the three-inning start.
Ketchie (10-1) pitched eight strong innings for the Indians. 
UP NEXT
Columbus State and UNC Pembroke will meet in an elimination game on Friday morning. The two Peach Belt Conference rivals met in the semifinal round of this year's conference tournament.Â