PEMBROKE – Eighth-ranked Columbus State used a trio of early home runs to grab a 6-1 lead in the third, but the UNC Pembroke baseball team tacked up a trio of multi-run frames, including a 6-run-seventh inning, to rally past the Cougars, 13-9, in the front half of a series-opening doubleheader on Saturday at Sammy Cox Field.

The Braves (8-0, 1-0 PBC) got multi-hit performances from four players, including senior Dalton Knight who doubled, homered and scored four times on a 4-for-5 hitting line. Ben Schmucker (3-for-4, 3 RBI) and Collins Cuthrell (3-for-6, HR, 2 RBI) both registered 3-hit days at the plate.

Jackson Oliver, Mike McClellan and Kevin Manos all hit home runs for the Cougars (6-2, 0-1), with Oliver and McLellan both scoring twice for the visitors as well.

Alex Britt (2-0) struck out five and allowed just one hit in 3-1/3 shutout innings of relief to grab the win for the Braves. Reliever Ryan Pistey (1-1) surrendered four earned runs on three hits and as many walks in two innings from the mound for the Cougars.

The Cougars tacked up three runs in each of the second and third innings to stake claim to a 6-1 lead in the middle of the third inning, but the Braves plated three runs of their own in the bottom of the frame, and then tied the score with two more runs in the fourth.

Columbus State pounded out four hits and scored three more times in the sixth to reclaim a 3-run advantage, but the hosts got a solo homer from Knight in the bottom of the sixth before sending their entire order to the plate in the decisive seventh inning.

Britt came on with two outs and a pair of runners on in the sixth and allowed a RBI single, but sat down the last 10 batters he faced, including striking out the side in the eighth.