HARDEEVILLE, S.C. – Columbus State University baseball concluded the weekend series in Hardeeville, South Carolina on Sunday afternoon.
The Cougars (16-15, 7-8 PBC) took an early lead over Sand Sharks (4-27, 1-14 PBC) which was erased in the seventh inning, fortunately five runs in the eighth would be enough to secure a 9-6 win to earn the sweep of the series.
Columbus State 9, USC Beaufort 6
Bryce Knox put a run on the board for the Cougars with a double down the left-field line in the first inning. CSU was threatening in the top of the second with a base hit from Michael Cruz and a walk from Luke Miller, unfortunately, both runners were left stranded.
Columbus State took a three-run advantage in the third inning with walks from Cayden Evans and Warrick Wilmot followed by a two-RBI double from Cruz to score the pair. The Cougars tallied another run in the fifth with Knox leading with a double prior to being driven in with a single from Wilmot for the 4-0 lead.
The Sand Sharks chipped away at the four-run deficit with an RBI triple and an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth. USCB would go on to take a 5-4 lead in the bottom of the seventh with a three-run homer, completely erasing the four-run gap CSU previously held.
Fortunately, four hits helped return the favor for the Cougars to reclaim the lead in the eighth inning. Cole Eison drove in a pair of runs with a double while Knox pushed in three with a home to left field for a 9-5 advantage. USCB scored a run on a hit-by-pitch to move to a three-run deficit but that was all the hosts had left in the tank as CSU managed to leave South Carolina with a sweep.
Quick Hits
- Cruz led the game with four of CSU's 14 hits, driving in a pair of runs as well.
- Knox followed with three hits, four RBIs, and two runs scored.
- Ian King gathered two runs on two hits as well.
- Knox also led with two doubles while Eison and Cruz both produced one each
- A total of six Cougars appeared on the mound with Joey Gill (3-1) picking up the win, striking out a batter and allowing two earned runs on two hits.
- Ryan Suppa started and tossed for five innings and led the team with two strikeouts.
Next Up
- CSU takes on Albany State (Ga.) on the road on Wednesday at 5 p.m. ET.