LIVINGSTON, Ala. - The No. 12 Columbus State University baseball team had an opening day to remember, scoring 20 runs in both games of a Saturday doubleheader to post impressive victories over the University of West Alabama at Tartt Field.

"It was a crazy day for the guys at the plate," said head coach Greg Appleton. "They didn't miss when they got their pitch to hit, but I don't want that to overshadow the good work the guys on the mound did today." 

Game 1: CSU 20, UWA 4 (F/7)

The Cougars (2-0) wasted no time in game one, plating four runs in the top of the first. Steven Minter put the Cougars up 2-0 on a two-run single, while Will Wilbanks had a run-scoring double in the inning.

Robert Brooks did all the damage in the third himself, hitting a solo homer to right-center to make it 5-0. 

That would be plenty for Cougar opening day starter Devin Dudal. The senior retired nine of the first 10 hitters he faced before West Alabama got to him for a lone run in the fourth. Overall, Dudal (1-0) threw 5.2 innings in the win, allowing four runs (three earned) on three hits. 

Columbus State broke the game open in the sixth, thanks to an eight spot. Brooks had a bases-clearing, three-run double in the inning before Wilbanks capped it off with a grand slam to make it 14-1.

Wilbanks wasn't done, as the junior hit a three-run blast in the seventh that pushed CSU to the 20-run mark. The junior finished the game with eight RBIs after going 4-for-5 with two doubles and two homers. 

Brooks was 3-for-4 with five RBIs after his double and first homer of 2022.

The game was called after the seventh due to the mercy rule.

Game 2: CSU 20, UWA 1 (scheduled for 7 innings) 

Columbus State struck for an early run in the nightcap, as the Cougars pushed across a run in the first. CSU only had one hit in the inning, but a wild pitch and a passed ball helped David Meadows score the first run of the game. 

After CSU starter Noah Windhorst stranded runners at third in the first and second, the Cougars made it 2-0 in the third. It was Meadows again getting it started with a one-out single before stealing second. Minter capitalized on the RBI chance, singling through the left side to plate Meadows.  

Things got out of hand again in the fourth. Columbus State scored eight runs in the inning before following with a nine-spot in the fifth. Back-to-back doubles from Win Johns and Matthew McDade made it 3-0 in the fourth. Brooks got in on the action later in the inning after a two-run single, but the big blow didn't come until later in the inning when Johns returned to plate. The sophomore would blast a three-run shot to give the Cougars a 10-0 lead.

UWA (0-3) didn't help their cause in the fifth. The Tigers pitching staff walked three runs in during the frame. Johns added two more RBIs with a double, while Meadows and McDade also had run-scoring doubles in the inning. 

Mason Davis made it 20-0 in the sixth after a pinch hit single.

Johns finished the night 3-for-5 with five RBIs and three runs scored. Brooks collected four more RBIs after a 2-for-3 performance at the plate in game two. McDade was 2-for-3 with two runs and two RBIs.

Windhorst (1-0) was solid in his first start of the year. He didn't allow a run over four innings while picking up five strikeouts. Logan Seehafer was impressive in his collegiate debut, striking out five in two innings. 

UP NEXT
Columbus State will look for the sweep against West Alabama on Sunday. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. at Tartt Field in Livingston. 

GAME NOTES
• It's the first time Columbus State has scored 20 or more runs in back-to-back games in at least a decade
• The 19-run margin was CSU's largest win ever over West Alabama. CSU now leads the all-time series 50-33
• Brooks was 5-for-7 with nine RBIs in the two games with five runs scored. Wilbanks posted a 4-for-8 day with eight RBIs with five runs scored
• Every Cougar starter had at least one hit
• Columbus State had nine doubles on Saturday, including six in game two
• Brooks' game one home run was his 47th in his career