Box Score TIGERVILLE, S.C. - The Columbus State University baseball team scored two runs to break open an 8-8 game in the top of the ninth and then held on to defeat fifth-ranked North Greenville University 10-9 to continue its run at the 2021 NCAA Southeast Regional on Saturday. 

It was a wild swing of emotions for the Cougars (31-15) late in the game as NGU scored three runs to tie the score in the eighth. The Crusaders were helped by two CSU errors in the inning, including one on a Josh Senter grounder to begin the inning.

However, the resilient Cougars immediately shook it off and went to work in the ninth. Robert Brooks led the frame off with a ground-rule double before Steven Minter laid down a perfect bunt for a single to put runners on the corners. Things got worse from there for North Greenville, as David Meadows was hit by a pitch to load the bases for the hot-hitting Dane Bullock. The senior did his job, putting the ball in play for a fielder's choice to score Brooks and to stay out of the double play to keep the rally going. 

After NGU intentionally walked Will Wilbanks to reload the bases, Matthew McDade lofted a fly ball to left to plate Meadows to give Columbus State a 10-8 advantage. 

North Greenville didn't go quietly in the ninth. With Cougar closer Brady Kais on the mound, Brady West quickly made it a one-run game by hitting a leadoff homer over the left-centerfield wall. That would be all the damage the Crusaders could do against Kais, though. The lefty retired the next three hitters to keep the Cougars alive, including striking out Jordan Holladay for the final out of the night. 

"You just got to keep finding ways to win games at this time of the season, and these guys continue to do that," commented head coach Greg Appleton. "We have to continue to score some early runs tomorrow and see how it plays out. We are going to have to earn everything we get tomorrow. Nothing is going to be handed to us."

Columbus State started the game by scoring five runs in the second to take an early lead. The first three hitters reached base to quickly load the bases before the first run scampered across on a McDade fielder's choice. The real damage came later though, as Connor Kirley laced a double down the left field line to put the Cougars up 3-0. Isaac Bouton followed with a two-run blast for his 12th homer of the year and to increase the lead.

After North Greenville scored an unearned run in the second, the Crusaders tied the game with a four-spot in the third. A single and a walk began the rally before West hit a three-run home run off of Cougar starter Tyler Cadenhead to make it a 5-4 game. Holladay tied the game later in the inning on a groundout.

Columbus State would slowly take an 8-5 lead by scoring a single run over the next three innings. In the fourth, a key Colby Brabston stolen base with two outs set up a clutch RBI single from Minter to break the 5-5 deadlock. Bullock made things simpler in the fifth, hitting a leadoff homer to put the Cougar ahead by two. It was Brabston again in the sixth that fueled the rally. The freshman reached base on a single before swiping second with Brooks at the plate. The junior would cash in on the run-scoring opportunity, lacing a single through the left side to score Brabston and make it an 8-5 game.

Meanwhile, Jake Hershman was dealing on the hill for the Cougars. The righty didn't allow a hit over his first three full innings, walking just one in the fourth before stranding the runner on second to end the frame. He did run into trouble in the eight after some shaky defensive play but was able to pick up the win in the elimination game after the Cougar ninth-inning rally. Hershman logged 5.2 innings of work, allowing just three unearned runs. He struck out seven while walking a pair.

Cadenhead pitched 2.1 innings to begin the game for Columbus State and allowed five runs (four earned) on four hits. 

Three Cougars drove in two on Saturday with Bouton leading the way with a 3-for-5 performance. Brabston was 2-for-5 with a double and two stolen bases, while Bullock was 1-for-4 with the solo homer. Brooks (2-for-4) and Minter (2-for-4) both had multi-hit days. 

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Columbus State will have the chance to play its way into the DII College World Series on Sunday with two wins. First pitch will be at noon at Ray & Bea Dillard Field against an opponent to be determined.