No. 13 Cougars Top ASU, 6-4

COLUMBUS, Ga. - Columbus State plated a pair of runs in the eighth inning to break a 4-all tie and claim a 6-4 win over Augusta State in the opener of a three-game Peach Belt Conference series Friday night at Ragsdale Field.

The loss dropped the Jaguars, in their first season under head coach Chris Cooper, to 15-30 overall. The victory lifted the Cougars, ranked No. 13 in the nation, to 35-10 on the season.

Freshman designated hitter Curtis Parker sparked ASU offensively, going 3-for-4 and collecting three RBI. Senior second baseman Tony Baker went 2-for-4 with a run scored. Junior first baseman Tristan Toorie scored a pair of runs and Evan Smith scored a run and added a double.

Sophomore righthander Wilson Taylor (2-5) was charged with the loss, yielding eight hits and five runs -- all earned -- in 7.0 innings. He struck out four and walked three before giving way to freshman righty Josh Barks, who allowed a run and two hits in an inning of relief.

Cameron Griffin paced CSU with three hits and Jason Rogers drove in a pair of runs for the Cougars.

Iain Sebastian improved to 4-2, earning the win with 8.0 innings of work. He allowed six hits and four runs with five strikeouts and five walks. Wade Dudley logged his seventh save with a scoreless ninth inning.

ASU wraps up its PBC schedule with a twinbill Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m., against the Cougars at Ragsdale Field. Live stats and a live webcast (audio only) will be available at www.aug.edu/athletics.