COLUMBUS, Ga.----Columbus State scored two runs in the first inning and that was all sophomore left-hander Korey Noles would need Saturday in a 7-1 victory over Lander in game two of a Peach Belt Conference doubleheader at Ragsdale Field. Trent Bianco launched a solo homer and Brian Gordon delivered a two-run homer for CSU to complete the doubleheader sweep. The Cougars took game one 7-4. (Game 1 Box | Game 2 Box)
In game two, CSU picked up two early runs off of Lander starter Chris Munn in the first. Kurt Mckee led off with a single to left and stole second. David Brown walked to put runners at first and second. Billy
Howard then sent a rocket over the center fielder's head for a two-run double and an early 2-0 CSU lead.
In the second, Bianco's second homer of the season made the score 3-0.
Lander scored its only run of the game with a run in the fourth. The Bearcats strung together three hits with Gabe McCann delivering a RBI single in the frame.
CSU added two more runs in the fifth and sixth innings for the final margin. Gordon's two-run homer came in the fifth and CSU took advantage of two Bearcat errors in the sixth. Howard added an RBI
single in the sixth inning.
Noles (6-1) earned the complete-game win. He went seven, allowed six hits, one run, walked two, and fanned four. CSU turned two double plays behind him.
Munn (9-3) went the distance for Lander in the loss. He allowed seven runs (five earned), on nine hits, walked two, and struck out five Cougars.
Howard went 3-for-3 with three RBI for CSU. Lander had six players each collect a hit apiece.
In the first game, Lander scored a pair of runs in the second and fourth innings. The Bearcats got four hits off CSU starter Jason Good in the second. Kevin Jones drove home Radley Raven and Malcolm
McCleod with a two-run double in the second. In the fourth, Lander strung together another four hits to score two runs. McCann had an RBI single in the frame.
CSU pushed home a run in their half of the fourth as Trent Bianco singled with one out. Stephen McNelly reached on a fielder's choice, and with two outs Jonnie Geiger ripped a line drive down the right
field line. Geiger missed first as he rounded the bag, went back to touch the bag, and continued to second. The relay throw nailed Geiger, but McNelly scored on the play to make it 4-1 Lander.
Phillip Robinson relieved Good in the fifth and notched a perfect inning. In the CSU fifth, the Cougars did all their damage with two outs. Billy Howard walked, Drew Candlin singled up the middle, and
Brad Linton scored Howard with a single to left. In a steady rain, Shea stepped up and launched his second homer of the season, a three-run shot, to make it 5-4 CSU.
CSU added two insurance runs in the seventh for the final score of 7-4.
Robinson (5-2) threw four scoreless innings of relief to get the win. Paul Able pitched the ninth inning for his 13th save of the season.
Derek Wilson (3-4) was charged with the loss for Lander. He allowed seven runs, on nine hits, struck out three, and walked five.
CSU pounded out 11 hits with Candlin, Linton, Shea, and Bianco each collecting two hits. Shea went 2-for-3 with four RBI.
Lander had 13 hits as a team, but stranded eight runners. Jonathan Myers went 3-for-5 and four other Bearcats had two hits apiece. The Bearcats made three errors.
Both teams will wrap up the series tomorrow with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m.
