Related: No. 7 Columbus State Holds Off Baseball In Series Opener
COLUMBUS, Ga. – Seventh-ranked Columbus State pounded out 16 hits and scored multiple runs in six different frames on the way to a series-clinching 20-2 victory over the UNC Pembroke baseball team on Saturday afternoon at Burger King Stadium.
Nick Salisbury doubled on a 2-for-4 day at the plate the pace the Braves (26-22, 12-17 PBC) who were mathematically eliminated from contention for a berth into next week's Peach Belt Conference Tournament. Nolan Pierce (2-for-3) drove in a run for the visitors as well.
Columbus State (39-10, 23-6) got three hits apiece from three different players en route to registering its 17th-straight victory. The Cougars, who wrapped up the league's regular season title with the win, have not tasted defeat since a 5-1 loss at Flagler on March 26.
Alex Britt (4-2) allowed nine runs (six earned) on 10 hits and five walks in 2-2/3 innings of work to saddle the loss for the Braves. Albert Harless (6-2) struck out seven and scattered eight hits and a pair of earned runs over eight solid innings from the hill to grab the win for the Cougars.
Christian Miller's fielder's choice RBI with one out in the first gave the hosts the quick lead, but the Cougars tacked up six more runs in the second to pull away for good. Columbus State led 12-0 after four, but Nolan Pierce spoiled the shutout with a two-out RBI single in the top of the fifth. The Braves added their only other run of the contest via a RBI groundout by Stibel Aleman Saba in the eighth.
The Black & Gold will try to fend off a weekend sweep on Sunday when they face the Cougars in the series finale at Burger King Stadium. First pitch is slated for 1 p.m.
