ROME, Ga. - The ninth-ranked Columbus State University baseball team cashed in early run-scoring opportunities on Tuesday in an 8-4 midweek victory over Shorter University at the Ledbetter Baseball Complex in Rome.

After falling behind 2-0 after one, the Cougars (34-6) scored at least a run in each of the next next three innings to grab the lead. 

"We haven't played a midweek game in a while, so it was nice to get out there and get a win," commented head coach Greg Appleton. "The bullpen continues to throw well out there, and those early runs went a long way for us."

Shorter (21-16) came out swinging as three two-out singles helped the hosts plate a pair of runs in the first.

Columbus State took its turn at a two-out rally in the second. The Cougars had one on with two outs when Matthew McDade extended the inning with a walk to bring up Connor Kirley. Kirley made the free pass hurt, ripping a double to right to score David Meadows and McDade.

CSU wasn't done as Isaac Bouton singled through the left side of the infield to put the Cougars ahead 3-2.

The scoring attack contiuned in the third, with Robert Brooks beginning the frame with a single to right. The catcher would then go base-to-base on a passed ball and a groundout before scoring on a Meadows' sacrifice fly. Derek Wylie made things easier, launching a homer to push the lead to 5-2.

The Hawks knocked out Cougar starter Jamie Boatright in the bottom of the third after loading the bases with one out. Chander Ring limited the damage to just one after entering from the bullpen thanks to a fielder's choice and a strikeout.  

Columbus State got the run right back in the fourth on a RBI single from Brooks. 

Shorter kept the pressure on the Cougars, including loading the bases again in the fifth. However, Leo Giannoni did a masterful job in the situation, coming out of the pen to get a strikeout and a groundout to strand the bases full.

The Cougars stranded two in the sixth, while Shorter picked up a run on another two-out single to inch the score to 6-4.

The insurance came later as Columbus State added runs in the eighth and ninth. CSU waisted no time in the eighth after Kirley began the frame with his second double of the afternoon. Bouton followed with a single to tack on the run.

Shorter didn't help themselves in the ninth. Two walks and an error in the inning gave the Cougars the 8-4 lead.

Peyton Burton closed out the ninth to secure CSU's third fourth win.

Kirley was 3-for-5 with his two doubles. He scored three times, while knocking in a pair. Bouton (2-for-4, 2 RBIs, BB) and Brooks (2-for-4, RBI, BB) each had two hits.

Six Cougar saw action on the hill, with Giannoni (1-0) picking up the win. Ring tossed two scoreless innings, while Austin Elliott, Logan Seehafer and Burton all throwing a scorless frame. 

UP NEXT
Columbus State hosts its final Peach Belt Conference series of the season against Georgia College, beginning on Friday, April 22. First pitch is at 6 p.m., with fans being asked to arrive early for Senior Night ceremonies.

GAME NOTES
• CSU has homered in 17 straight games 
• It was Columbus State's first midweek game since March 30
• It was Kirley's second 3+ hit game of the season. He had a season-high four against Augusta on March 19
• Brooks has knocked in a run in six of the last seven games. He also extended his on-base streak to 14 games on Tuesday
• Bouton has reached base in 10 straight games and holds a six-game hitting streak. The reigning PBC Player of the Week is 7-for-13 with six RBIs over the last three games
• CSU is 60-for-68 in stolen base chances this season