WINGATE, N.C. - No. 9 Columbus State University is one step closer to returning to Cary, N.C., for the DII College World Series. The Cougars capped off a perfect performance in the NCAA DII Southeast Regional with an 8-7 victory over No. 5 Wingate University on Sunday at Ron Christopher Stadium in Wingate, N.C.

CSU (45-11) now heads to Tigerville, S.C., for the NCAA DII Southeast Super Regional. The Cougars and No. 1 North Greenville University will play in a best-of-three series beginning on Friday, May 27 for the chance to advance to Cary.

Sunday's game was full of late drama as the Cougars held a 4-3 lead entering the bottom of the seventh. CSU proceeded to score four runs in the frame, including Win Johns launching a two-run homer. Colby Brabston later added a key two-out single to put Columbus State ahead 8-3.

The defending national champions didn't go away quietly. Wingate (48-10) quickly loaded the bases against Cougar closer Peyton Burton before a two-out, pinch-hit grand slam by Jed Bryant brought the Bulldogs within one. After a single, Burton got a flyout to keep CSU in front.

Burton returned to form in the ninth, retiring the side in order to eliminate Wingate. 

Colton Joyner was the story early on as the righty kept Wingate off balance in his six-inning start. After allowing a first-inning run, Joyner settled in on the hill. He struck out five in a row, including the side in the second, before a Michael Danksy homer put WU ahead 2-1.

CSU quickly answered with its second solo homer of the day as Colby Brabston sent one over the right-centerfield fence in the bottom of the third to tie the game at two.

After Joyner kept Wingate off the board in the fourth and fifth, Columbus State went ahead in the bottom of the fifth. Connor Kirley began the frame with a bunt single before Brabston singled to right with one out to put runners on the corners. WU got the second out of the frame, but back-to-back walks plated Kirley to give CSU the lead.

Columbus State went ahead 4-2 in the bottom of the sixth before the offensive explosion late in the game.

The Cougars hit three more homers in the win, including Derek Wylie (2-for-5, 2 RBIs, 2 runs) blasting his third of the postseason. Brabston was 4-for-5 with three RBIs. Matthew McDade was 2-for-4 with a double and two runs.

Joyner (10-1) grabbed his 10th win of the year after striking out seven in the start. Leo Giannoni pitched the seventh, allowing a run on three hits.