TIGERVILLE, S.C. - The Columbus State University baseball team's season will continue following an 8-2 win over UNC Pembroke on the second day of the 2021 NCAA Southeast Regional at Ray & Bea Dillard Field.

The sixth-seeded Cougars (30-15) jumped on the fifth-seeded Braves early, scoring two runs in the second, and never looked back as right-hander Devin Dudal tossed a gem to keep Columbus State alive in the tournament. CSU will be in action at 3 p.m. on Saturday against an opponent to be determined. 

For the second straight start in the postseason, Dudal was dealing, posting a strong 7.2-inning performance. He allowed two runs on eight hits, while striking out seven. The junior is 2-0 in three postseason starts and has allowed just five runs over his last 16+ innings.

UNC Pembroke had a great chance to take an early lead in the first, but a great defensive play by Rober Brooks denied a run trying to score on a wild pitch. In the second, the Braves put two on before Dudal slammed the door shut on the rally for the second straight inning.

UNCP starter Bucky Bonynge put himself into trouble in CSU's half of the second after walking David Meadows and hitting Dane Bullock. After a sacrifice bunt by Will Willabanks, back-to-back singles from Matthew McDade and Connor Kirley gave the Cougars a 2-0 lead.

Both teams went scoreless until the fifth when the Cougars took a 5-0 advantage. Colby Brabston got it all started with a leadoff triple before a fielder's choice off the bat from Steven Minter chased him home. Minter then caused havoc on the base paths, stealing second and moving to third on a wild pitch before Bullock drove him home on a sacrifice fly. Wilbanks capped off the inning with a run-scoring double deep to right.

The Cougars got a two-out run in the sixth to increase the lead. With Isaac Bouton on first, Brooks laced a double into the leftfield corner for his 55th RBI of the year.

Dudal retired the side in order in the seventh to continue to keep the Braves off the scoreboard, while the Cougar scored two more runs to take an eight-run advantage. After a Bullock solo homer, Wilbanks collected his second double of the afternoon to keep the rally going. McDade followed his his second RBI single of the day to up the lead.

UNC Pembroke broke up the shutout in the eighth after three singles pushed across a pair of runs. The Braves threatened for more by loading the bases, but Jake Hershman got out of the jam by inducing a grounder.

Miles Dutton pitched a scoreless ninth to slam the door for Columbus State.

Both Wilbanks and McDade drove in two for the Cougars after each tallying two hits. 

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Columbus State will continue play in the Southeast Regional on Saturday in another elimination game. The Cougars will find out their opponent after the conclusion of play on Friday.