COLUMBUS - In a 3-3 game in the bottom of the fifth, the Columbus State University softball team scored four runs to claim a 7-3 win over Augusta University to begin a three-game Peach Belt Conference series at Cougar Field in Columbus.

It was a wild affair on Friday night as the Cougars and Jaguars battled scoreless through three. However, both teams had scoring opportunities early, with Augusta stranding five through the first four. AU's best chance came in the first as Jakayla Sullivan and Oliva Biles reached to begin the game. CSU starter Hannah Rose Corbin bore down, retiring the next three hitters, including the final two on strikeouts, to keep AU off the board.

After Augusta (12-18, 1-9 PBC) stranded a one-out double in the fourth, the Cougar offense came to life. With one out and Morgan Elston on first, Madeline Parker ripped a double down the left-field line to put the Cougars in business. Following a strikeout, Kenzie Bayer sent a two-out double into the right-centerfield gap to give CSU a 2-0 lead. Lindsey Patton followed with a single to add to the advantage.

The Cougars (14-14, 5-2) didn't stay in front for long though, as Augusta evened the game in the next half-inning. The Jaguars didn't pick up a hit in the frame as four walks and two errors helped the guests knot things up. 

CSU's offense received a big lift in the bottom of the fifth as Caitlyn Canady began things with a single before instantly getting into scoring position with a stolen base. Canady wouldn't be there for long with Paige Vincent putting the Cougars back on top with an opposite-field single.

The Cougars continued to add on in the inning with two outs. Bayer collected another RBI on a walk that forced home a run, while Patton found a two-run single to put CSU ahead 7-3.

Augusta put one last scare into the Cougars in the sixth as two walks and a single brought the potential tying run to the plate with two outs. Corbin escaped the jam after a diving play from Patton in left to rob Paige Patterson of a hit. 

Haylee Folds entered the game in the seventh and retired the side in order to secure the win for Columbus State.

Bayer (1-for-2, 2B, SB) and Patton (2-for-3) both had three RBIs for CSU. Canady was 2-for-4 with two stolen bases in her leadoff spot.

Corbin improved to 11-5 in the circle after the six-inning performance. She struck out nine, but struggled with her command, issuing seven walks. She scattered three hits.

Mary Tillman (8-10) took the loss for Augusta after allowing seven runs over 4.2 innings.

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Columbus State and Augusta conclude the series on Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at noon.  Read Full Article