DAHLONEGA, Ga. – Down six runs heading into the ninth inning, Columbus State University delivered one of the most remarkable comebacks in program and Peach Belt Conference history to defeat North Georgia on Monday afternoon at Bob Stein Stadium.
The Cougars (30-21) trailed 9-3 through eight innings before sending 16 batters to the plate in the ninth to stun the Nighthawks (39-15) in a 15-11 victory in Dahlonega, punching their ticket to the PBC Championship Series this weekend in Greenwood, S.C.
Columbus State struck first with a three-run outing in the opening frame, scoring on an RBI walk from
Cody Ferguson and a two-RBI single from
Warrick Wilmot. The Cougars left a pair stranded, but closed the top half of the first inning with a three-run advantage.
North Georgia managed to respond with a run in the bottom half of the first, second and six innings to level the game at three-all. The Nighthawks tallied four runs in the seventh and two in the eighth to hold a 9-3 advantage after keeping CSU scoreless for seven-straight frames.
However, the Cougars would not go out without a fight, and they proved that with the top of the ninth inning. CSU went on to score the second-most runs in an inning in PBC tournament history nearly catching up to the 1998 CSU squad that recorded 13 in an inning. Columbus State erupted for 12 runs on eight hits, two walks, a hit-by-pitch, and an error to lead 15-9.
The improbable ninth inning surge began with a lead-off double, a walk from
Michael Cruz, and a hit-by-pitch to
Bryce Knox to load the bases.
Andrew Rubin came in to pinch hit and sparked the comeback with two runs driven in.
Luke Miller followed with an RBI single to cut the deficit down to three runs with no outs on the board.
After a UNG pitching change, CSU continued to pour on the runs as a two-RBI single from
Cayden Evans pulled the Cougars within a run. The Nighthawks managed to get two outs on the board, yet Columbus State battled with a two-RBI base hit from Cruz to take a 10-9 advantage.
Rubin appeared at the plate once again and did his job, driving in two more runs with a single up the middle for a 12-9 lead. Miller followed with a double to push home two more followed by
Ian King's RBI single to cap the ninth with a 15-9 edge over the hosts.
North Georgia managed to show a little life in the bottom of the ninth with two runs scored, however
Trace Goforth managed to shut down UNG after a coming in to relieve
Sawyer Wilson.
Inside the Numbers
- CSU's 12 runs are the most in an inning this season.
- The Cougars tallied just four hits combined in the eight innings prior to the eight-hit outing in the ninth.
- King led CSU batting .800 for four hits on five plate appearances, scoring two and driving in one run.
- Rubin highlighted with four RBIs and two runs as a pinch hitter.
- Miller tallied two hits, two runs, and three RBIs.
- Evans and Cruz had big ninth inning performances with a pair of RBIs each.
- Five individuals garnered at least two RBIs or more.
- Joey Gill started on the bump and went for 6.0 innings, giving up three earned runs on eight hits, three walks, and two strikeouts.
- Peyton Burton made a brief appearance before Wilson ended up going for 1.2 innings and earning the win.
- Goforth closed with an inning, giving up two runs, striking out two batters, walking two, and allowing two hits.
Next Up
- With the win, Columbus State clinches a spot in the Peach Belt Conference Tournament Championship Series and will travel to face second-seeded Lander (S.C.) in a best-of-three series beginning on Thursday, May 8.
