COLUMBUS - The seventh-ranked Columbus State University baseball team blasted seven home runs in the 20-9 run-rule victory over Point University Wednesday evening.
John Pardue's walk-off three-run bomb over center field ended the game early in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Heading into the bottom of the second only leading 2-1, the Cougars broke out the bats to put seven more runs on the board. With bases loaded,
Isaac Bouton collected an RBI with a walk. Following Bouton,
Matthew McDade delivered a sacrifice fly to left field to score Pardue from third.
Steven Minter then ripped a two-run RBI through the left side of the field and
David Meadows followed up with a three-run homer over the left center field fence to make it a 9-1 ballgame.
However, the Skyhawks reacted and minimized CSU's lead to three in the top of the third, scoring five runs off of five hits and one error. Back-to-back doubles from Jackson Bush and Francisco Garcia paced Point, but the two-run homer from Jhamante Woods put the Skyhawls down 9-6.
PU was able to come within one run with the Cougars thanks to an Alex Marquan RBI double down the left field line in the top of the fourth.
Columbus State responded in the bottom half of the inning, scoring three runs to make ir 12-8. Pardue capitalized with a two-run RBI single to center field to give CSU some cushion.
In the fifth,
Robert Brooks and Meadows hit solo homers apiece to give CSU the 14-8 lead over the Skyhawks.
The seventh inning was where the homers really came into play. McDade, Brooks and Minter hit back-to-back-to-back homers, making it a 17-9 ballgame. With two outs and runners on second and third, Pardue smacked a three-run walk-off bomb over left center field to give the Cougars the run-rule victory.
Brooks, Minter and Meadows each recorded three hits. McDade, Pardue and Kirley added two apiece, with Pardue leading the Cougars with five RBIs.
Austin Elliot picked up his first win on the mound in a CSU uniform after relieving starter
Jamie Boatright. Elliot struck out four and allowed four hits and two runs scored.
UP NEXT
Columbus State will travel to Americus, Ga. for a three-game Peach Belt Conference series with Georgia Southwestern State University this weekend. The first pitch for game one is set for Friday, April 1 at 6 p.m.