COLUMBUS - The eighth-ranked Columbus State University baseball team couldn't overcome a 7-0 deficit on Friday night, falling 8-5 to Georgia College to open a three-game Peach Belt Conference series at Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field in Columbus. 

GC (25-16, 14-8 PBC) hit a two-run homer in the third to take an early lead before adding five more in the sixth to grab the commanding advantage.

"Got to tip your hat to Georgia College," commented head coach Greg Appleton. "They jumped on us early, and we couldn't get the bats going quick enough. Tomorrow will be a battle, and we have to come out firing to set the tone."

Both starting pitchers had their stuff working early until a two-out mistake by Noah Windhorst allowed the Bobcats to take the lead in the third. KC Brown jumped on the first pitch he saw, lofting it over the left-field wall to put the Bobcats in front. 

Columbus State (34-7, 17-4) was kept off the board in the third and fourth after failing to take advantage of two-out errors by GC in both frames. 

Things went south for the Cougars in the sixth as four straight singles pushed across two runs before an out was recorded in the inning. GC continued to add on after a throwing error, a hit batter and a sacrifice fly pushed the margin to 7-0.

The Cougars flexed their muscles in the sixth, but it wasn't enough. It was an impressive power display as CSU slammed four homers, including going back-to-back-to-back to inch within two of the lead. Matthew McDade started the homer barrage with a solo shot to begin the inning, while Isaac Bouton, Colby Brabston and Robert Brooks capped off the home run spree. 

That would be all the offense CSU could muster though as the Cougars failed to record a hit over the final three innings. Brown added an insurance run after knocking in his fourth run of the game with a single in the eighth.

Josh Hudgins (5-3) was impressive in the win, allowing five runs over six innings for GC. Aidan McAlli struck out five Cougar hitters in his three-inning save.

Windhorst (5-3) took the loss after surrendering seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits. Austin Elliott (0.2 IP), Zack Brockman (2.1 IP, 1 ER) and Colin Koprowski (0.2 IP) all saw work on the hill for the Cougars. 

Bouton (2-for-4, solo-HR, 2 RBIs) was the lone Cougar with two hits. 

Brown was 3-for-4 for the Bobcats at the plate.

UP NEXT
Columbus State and Georgia College wrap up the series with a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Saturday is also Alumni Day with fans being encouraged to arrive early for a special pregame ceremony. 

GAME NOTES
• The Cougars have homered in 18 straight games
• It was the second time this season the Cougars have hit back-to-back-to-back home runs
• Brooks became just the second player in PBC and CSU history to reach the 60-home run mark. He is now three away from tying Brad Bouras (CSU, 1998-01) for the all-time lead
• Brooks also extended his on-base streak to 15 games, while Bouton's streak now stands at 11
• It was just the third time all season that the Cougars allowed 13 or more hits. 
• The loss snapped a streak of five straight wins on Friday nights for Columbus State