Columbus State Rallies Past GSW

Columbus State Rallies Past GSW

COLUMBUS, Ga. - Georgia Southwestern couldn't overcome a late charge by Columbus State Friday evening as the Cougars rallied past the Hurricanes to earn the 10-6 victory at Ragsdale Field.

With the score knotted through the first three innings, GSW broke the stalemate by adding a pair of runs over the next two innings to pull ahead, 3-1.

CSU answered by scoring two runs off a pair of hits in the home half of the fifth inning as the Cougars evened up the score.

Southwestern distanced themselves in the top of the sixth as the 'Canes used a RBI-double from Les Cromer, a sacrifice fly by Kevin Manos and a RBI single by Josh Sanders to take a 6-3 advantage.

That lead didn't last long, however, as the Cougars scored four runs off four hits in the bottom of the seventh to take their first lead, 7-6, of the ball game.

Columbus State (17-16, 11-7 PBC) went on to seal the deal by adding three insurance runs in the eighth inning as the Cougars captured the hard-earned 10-6 victory.

GSW's relief pitcher Drew Cataldo (1-2) was credited with the loss as Southwestern falls to 12-23, 3-15 in the Peach Belt Conference.

Sanders led the Hurricanes' offense as the junior went 4-for-5 with a RBI as Southwestern finished with 11 hits on the contest.

Georgia Southwestern will finish the Peach Belt Conference series with the Cougars with a Saturday twinbill starting at 1 p.m.