TIGERVILLE, S.C. - After battling its way through the elimination bracket to reach the NCAA Southeast Regional final, the Columbus State University baseball team suffered a 4-2 loss to Wingate University on Sunday afternoon at Ray & Bea Dillard Field. 

The Cougars fell two wins shy of the DII College World Series and end their season with a 31-16 record.

CSU couldn't keep its bats hot on Sunday, managing just two base runners after holding a 2-1 lead after four innings of play.

The first inning was quiet, but Wingate started the second inning with a bang as Jed Bryant hit a leadoff homer off Cougar starter Jamie Boatright. Columbus State answered with a run of its own in its half of the inning as Dane Bullock took advantage of a passed ball to move third with two outs. Following a Matthew McDade walk, Connor Kirley tied the game with a single to center.

Boatright retired the side in order in the third, including two strikeouts, before Colby Brabston put the Cougars in front with a leadoff homer in the bottom of the inning. 

The Cougars looked to add on in the fourth after loading the bases on two singles and a walk. However, Bulldog Austin Mitchell was able to work out of the jam. 

Boatright cruised into the seventh, retiring eight straight hitters until Logan McNeely singled to begin the crucial inning. After sitting down the next two hitters, three straight singles, including a two-run single by Carson Simpson put Wingate ahead 3-2. 

Wingate added on in the eighth with McCann Mellet singled to begin the inning. Brady Kais entered the game and got an out before McNeely doubled to right-center for the insurance run.

Columbus State put brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth after Will Wilbanks drew a walk to begin the inning. However, a double play and a fly out sealed the win for Wingate.

Kirley was 2-for-4 for CSU with an RBI and a stolen base, while Brabston was 1-for-4 with the solo homer. Robert Brooks and Wilbanks also had hits for the Cougars.

Boatright (3-1) took the loss, despite pitching well. The lefty allowed three runs on five hits in 6.2 innings of work. He struck out eight, while walking just one. Kais and Miles Dutton both tossed scoreless innings in relief.