COLUMBUS, GA. – The Lander baseball team dropped its series finale on Sunday afternoon, 8-3, to No. 23 Columbus State at Burger King Stadium at Ragsdale Field.

The Bearcats suffer its first PBC series sweep since March 1-3, 2019, to Flagler. The Bearcats fall to 10-7 (4-4 PBC) while the Cougars improve to 14-3 (8-1 PBC) on the season.

Columbus State struck first with the game's first two runs in the bottom of the first. An RBI single and a sacrifice fly would give the Cougars a 2-0 lead.

The Cougars doubled its lead in the fourth inning on Robert Brooks' two-run home run. Lander got on the board in the fifth, with an RBI double by Josh Gregory.

In the sixth, Bo Richey would rip an RBI single to cut the deficit to two. Columbus State's Bryson Horne would hit a three-run home run to extend their lead to 7-2 in the sixth.

Justin Wager would hit an RBI double to add a run in the eighth. The Cougars would answer in the bottom half and scored on a wild pitch.

Cougar starter Jaime Boatright threw 5.0 innings while giving up two runs, five hits, four walks, and struck out seven to earn his fourth win of the season. Bearcat starter Carson Schlegel was charged with his first loss of the year after yielding four runs in 5.0 innings. Cougar reliever Brady Kais would come in the ninth for the third straight game and earn his fifth save of the year.

Justin Wager led the team with a 2-for-4 performance, highlighted by an RBI double.

Lander will begin an eight-game homestand Wednesday evening against No. 2 North Greenville. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. at Stephen B. Dolny Stadium, and the game will be streamed on the Bearcat Broadcasting Network.

#cLawsUp | @LanderBaseball