ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - The Columbus State University baseball team will open the 2024 season on the road at Eckerd College for a three-game series on Friday, Feb. 2 and Saturday, Feb. 3. All games will be played at the Turley Athletic Complex.

Weekend Schedule
Friday, Feb. 2 at 6 p.m.
Saturday, Feb. 3 doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.

History

• The Cougars have a 3-0 record over the Tritons, sweeping Eckerd at Ragsdale Field during the 2023 season
• CSU beat EC 8-6, 5-3 and 3-2 to take the series

Scouting Eckerd

• In 2023, Eckerd posted a 22-27 overall record and went 10-20 in the Sunshine State Conference
• Offensively, the Tritons return seniors Tyler Cox, Kyle Abbott and Cam Collier, who all batted over .300 last season
• On the mound, senior Gavin Grubbs recorded a 5.08 ERA in 2023 and returns to the Eckerd pitching staff

About Columbus State

• The Cougars held a 37-16 record in 2023 with a 21-13 Peach Belt Conference record, appearing in the NCAA Southeast Regionals for the third consecutive year
• CSU returns eight seniors and 14 juniors, including All-American and offensive standout, Derek Wylie, who posted a .325 batting average in 2023 with 19 home runs and 64 RBIs. Ian King, Win Johns and Jackson Chizek also return for the Cougars, all hitting over .300 last season
• Along with Wylie, Peyton Burton was named to the preseason All-PBC team as a relief pitcher. Burton marked a 3.43 ERA in 20 appearances, tallying a 3-1 record with eight saves. Colton Joyner also returns to the pitching staff, posting a 4.36 ERA in 15 starts

Head coach Greg Appleton begins his 27th season at the helm of the Columbus State baseball program on Friday. Associate head coach Patrick Collins enters his 22nd season with the Cougars and assistant coach Sammy Styers starts his 20th.

To view the live statistics for the series at Eckerd, click here.