DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Columbus State University's comeback effort came up short on Sunday afternoon as the Cougars dropped a 7-5 decision to the University of North Georgia, forcing a decisive "if-necessary" game in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament.
The Cougars (29-21) and the Nighthawks (39-14) will meet again on Monday at 1 p.m. ET at Bob Stein Stadium with a spot in the championship on the line.
Columbus State struck first with a run in the opening frame from an RBI fielder's choice from
Cody Ferguson, but the Nighthawks responded with two in the bottom half to lead 2-1. UNG went up 3-1 in the third with an RBI single before
Jackson Chizek answered with a two-RBI base hit to equalize in the fourth frame.
Unfortunately, UNG would follow with three runs scored in the next two innings, applying pressure on CSU with a 6-3 advantage.
Cayden Evans provided the biggest swing of the day for Columbus State, launching a two-run homer in the seventh inning to trim the deficit to just one run. UNG would go on to have the final word with a solo homer in the bottom of the seventh to capture a 7-5, shutting down CSU in the final two innings.
Starter
Ryan Suppa (4-5) took the loss, allowing five runs (four earned) on eight hits over 4.1 innings.
Christian Harmon and
Trenton Burnett covered the middle innings before
Garrett Telaga delivered a scoreless eighth.
Inside the Numbers
- Warrick Wilmot led the way with three of CSU's 10 hits.
- Evans followed with a two-hit, two-RBI performance, scoring a run as well.
- Chizek added two RBIs on two hits with Luke Miller leading with a two-run outing.
- Both teams notched two extra-base hits in the game with Michael Cruz knocking down a double and Evans gathering his seventh homer of the season.
- Columbus State finished with 10 hits and seven runners left on base.
Next Up
- Monday's rematch will be the decider on which team advances to the PBC Championship series on May 8-9.
