Baseball falls to Columbus State in rematch game

COLUMBUS, Ga. (March 30, 2022) – The Point University baseball team traveled to play NCAA Division II foe Columbus State Wednesday evening and fell to the Cougars 20-9.

This was the second time the Skyhawks faced No. 7 Columbus at Burger King Stadium this season in a midweek contest.

Point got out to an early lead with Connor Varnum scoring in the top of the first following a Columbus State error. Point's lead, however, was short-lived as the Cougars scored two runs in the bottom of the inning and seven runs in the bottom of the second (9-1). The Skyhawks would cut Columbus' lead back down to three, with five runs in the top of the third. Francisco Garcia started Point's rally with a 2-RBI double to left center that scored Jackson Bush and Varnum. An error would then allow Garcia to come home before Jhamante Woods would connect for his sixth home run of the season with Alex Marquand on base (9-6). An inning later, Marquand would bring the Skyhawks back within one with a double down the left field line, scoring Dillon Brown and Garcia (9-8).

This was as close as the Cougars would allow the Skyhawks to get as Columbus put up three runs in the bottom of the fourth and two in the fifth (14-8). In the top of the seventh, Point would cut Columbus' lead back down to five with an error that allowed Zebediah Baird to score, but the Cougars would answer in the bottom of the inning with six runs off four home runs to put the run-rule into effect and end the game in seven innings.

The Skyhawks combined for 11 hits, with Garcia and Jaysen Dower going 3-for-4. Marquand followed with two hits and Varnum, Bush and Woods had one hit apiece. Garcia, Marquand and Woods had two RBIs each.

The Skyhawks will return to action on Friday as they open their Appalachian Athletic Conference series with Johnson (Tenn.) at 5 p.m. in West Point.