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Columbus State University Athletics

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The Official Athletics Site of the Columbus State Cougars

Warrick Wilmot
8
Valdosta St. VSU 2-8
9
Winner Columbus St. CSU 5-5
Valdosta St. VSU
2-8
8
Final
9
Columbus St. CSU
5-5
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 R H E
Valdosta St. VSU 1 0 0 2 0 0 1 0 4 0 0 0 8 12 1
Columbus St. CSU 0 2 0 1 2 0 0 0 3 0 0 1 9 16 1

W: Starling, Tucker (1-0) L: R. Brown (0-1)

Game Recap: Baseball | | Clayton Barefield

Extra Inning Walk-Off Lifts Cougars Over Blazers

CSU wins it in 12 innings

COLUMBUS – Columbus State University returned home to Columbus and opened the 2025 home season at Ragsdale Field on Tuesday, hosting long-time foe Valdosta State (Ga.) for a single game.

The Cougars (5-5) secured a walk-off win over the Blazers (2-8) in a 12-inning contest that took three hours and 39 minutes to complete.

Valdosta State opened with a run in the first inning, utilizing a walk, a single, an error, and an RBI ground out to bring the leading score home. Columbus State knocked on the door early with a lead-off single from Luke Miller and a follow-up base hit from Ian King. Unfortunately, the Cougars recorded three-straight outs at the plate to leave the pair stranded.

Columbus State took advantage in the bottom half of the second frame, finishing off singles from Warrick Wilmot and Bryce Knox with a two-RBI single from Jackson Chizek for a 2-1 lead. After a scoreless third, the Blazers reclaimed the lead with two runs in the fourth to lead 3-2, yet a three hit fourth for CSU capped by an RBI single from Miller leveled the game.

The Cougars added a two-run edge in the bottom of the fifth with a sacrifice fly out from Wilmot that scored Cole Eison followed by an RBI single from Knox for a 5-3 lead.

Valdosta State took one back in the seventh with a lead-off homer over the left-center wall. Columbus State produced three more hits in the bottom half of the frame, but left a pair stranded to remain ahead by one-run.

The visitors fought back in the top of the ninth with a leveling RBI single followed by a pair of RBI base hits and a run scored on a wild pitch. VSU flipped the script and claimed an 8-5 lead all while having two outs on the board. The Cougars did not flinch at the fight, battling back in the ninth inning to force extras. After a pair of walks to lead the inning off, Cayden Evans pushed a run in on a single followed by two runners scoring on a fielding error to tie the game at 8-8 and extend the game.

After scoreless 10th and 11th innings, Wilmot sparked the bottom of the 12th with a lead-off double and was shifted to third on a ground out. Michael Cruz walked before Chizek produced a sacrifice fly to score Wilmot to win the game in walk-out.

Quick Hits

  • CSU led 16-12 in hits with Miller and Knox leading individually with three hits apiece.
  • Chizek led with three RBI on the evening and a stolen bag.
  • Wilmot picked up the lone double of the game, recording two hits and scoring a pair of runs.
  • Columbus State stole four bags while Valdosta State gathered two.
  • Tucker Starling picked up his first win of the season with 3.1 innings' worth of work, leading CSU with three strikeouts while walking one batter and allowing one hit.

Next Up

  • The Cougars will take a week off before returning to action on Feb. 25 with a home contest against Middle Georgia at 4 p.m. ET in Columbus.
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