GREENWOOD, S.C. – The 2026 season officially came to an end for the Columbus State baseball team as the Cougars fell to the site host, Lander, by a 4-1 score in the bracket finale of the 2026 Peach Belt Conference Tournament at Dolney Stadium.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- Lander opened the game with a solo home run in the first inning of play to build a 1-0 lead before Columbus State eventually evened the score at 1-1 with a sacrifice fly from senior Jackson Chizek.
- Neither side was able to break the stalemate until the seventh inning when the Bearcats plated two runs to take a 3-1 lead.
- Another solo home run in the eighth inning put Lander ahead 4-1 as CSU went down in order in the top of the ninth to end the game.
NOTES
- Sophomore Sawyer Wilson (6-4) took the mound on just two days' rest and tossed six innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on five hits with four strikeouts.
- Junior Corey Berry was 2-for-3 at the plate, as was senior Bryce Knox. Fellow junior Jacob Smith was 2-for-4 with a run scored to round out the multi-hit performances for Columbus State.
- The Cougars finish the season 30-22 overall, reaching the 30-win plateau for the eighth time in the last nine seasons.
