HARDEEVILLE, S.C. - Brock Thibodeaux and Wesley Ambrose combined for five hits in the series opener on Friday, but the Columbus State offense was too much for the Sand Sharks, as CSU took game one, 11-1, at Richard Gray Stadium. 

Inside the Box Score

Thibodeaux: 3-for-3 

Ambrose: 2-for-3, R

Robbie Brown: 1-for-3, RBI

Brandon Blume: (L, 2-7) 7.2 IP, 14 H, 9 ER, 4 SO

How it Happened

Columbus State jumped out to an early 5-0 lead in the second after an RBI single and sacrifice fly, but Steven Minter drilled a three-run homer to left, giving the Cougars the early-inning advantage. 

The two teams remained scoreless until the seventh, when Brown singled off the end of the bat, bringing home Ambrose. 

Matthew McDade pushed the lead back to five with a double off the left field wall, and the Cougars tacked on another five runs, invoking the mercy rule.

Team Records Updated 

USCB: 12-28 (5-20 PBC)

GC: 29-12 (15-10 PBC)

What's Next?

USCB and Columbus State square off in game two of the series Saturday afternoon with a 2 p.m. scheduled first pitch. Prior to first pitch, the Class of 2023 will be honored in a pregame ceremony.