COLUMBUS - The No. 7 Columbus State University baseball team ran past Young Harris College Friday night, run-ruling the Mountain Lions 12-1 in seven innings. The Cougars improve to 24-4 (9-1 PBC), while YHC falls to 19-8 (7-4 PBC).

Isaac Bouton's leadoff triple to center field in the bottom of the first set the tone for the high-scoring game. Colby Brabston singled through the right side to bring Bouton home, then later made his way around the bases thanks to a Steven Minter RBI single through the five-six-hole to give CSU an early 2-0 lead.

Win Johns extended Columbus State's lead to five thanks to a three-run home run over the left field fence in the third inning. Derek Wylie followed up with a single and made it 6-0 with a Connor Kirley RBI single to left field.

In the fifth, Johns and Wylie came up big again for the Cougars. Johns ripped a double into right center to score Minter from second base, then Wylie smacked a single through the right side to plate Johns. Wylie was able to make it 9-0 thanks to a balk from Young Harris pitcher Michael Buice.

David Meadows cranked a two-run RBI double in the sixth inning to set CSU for the potential run-rule win. In just a few at bats later, Johns delivered again with a sacrifice fly to plate Meadows, giving the Cougars the 12-0 lead.

Young Harris was able to score one run in the top of the seventh as Jackson Jones hit a solo homer over the right centerfield fence.

CSU starter Devin Dudal (6-2) earned the win on the mound as the senior struck out seven and only allowed two hits. Mason Herbert received the loss and falls to 1-2.

Johns led Columbus State going 2-for-3 with five RBIs and two runs scored. Along with Johns, Minter and Wylie each added three hits and one RBI.

UP NEXT

The Cougars and Mountain Lions will return to Ragsdale Field on Saturday, March 26 for the second game of the crucial PBC series, with the first pitch set for 2 p.m.