COLUMBUS, GA. – The Lander baseball team attempted comeback fell short against No. 23 Columbus State, 3-2, Friday night in the series opener at Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field.

Lander falls to 10-5 on the year and 4-2 in PBC play, while Columbus State improves to 12-3 and 6-1 in league action.

Cougar starter Jalen Latta threw 8.0 innings while giving up two runs, six hits, two walks, and struck out six to earn his fourth win of the season. Bearcat starter Justin Walker was charged with his first loss after yielding three earned runs in 4.2 innings. Cougar reliever Brady Kais would come in the ninth and earn his third save of the year.

Lander struck first in the contest with a solo home run by Roury Glanton in the second inning. Columbus State added a run in the bottom half resulting from a runner scoring from third on a wild pitch.

Evan Harold would rip an RBI single to right field to give the Bearcats the lead. The Cougars would soon respond and tie the game in the bottom half thanks to a sacrifice fly.

The Cougars would connect on an RBI single in the fifth to add to their lead. With two outs in the ninth Colton Yeager would hit single up the middle to extend the game. Gary Garrett would come to pinch run for Yeager. The next pitch, Garrett would get picked off to end the game.

Matthew Burgess's nine-game hit streak would come to a close tonight as he went 0-4 for the game. Evan Harold would continue his hot streak as he went 2-4 with an RBI. Roury Glanton hit his fifth home run of the year.

Lander will return to the field for game two of the series against Columbus State at 2 p.m. Saturday at Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field.

#cLawsUp | @LanderBaseball