Baseball set a good tone in the series with Columbia State Friday, sweeping the first two games with Chargers.

In the first game, the Cougars won 9-1. The game was neck-and-neck until the fifth, when Cleveland State scored five runs to pull away to a 7-1 lead. They also scored two in the seventh to put the game away. Marcial Hernandez (1-for-2) had a single-game career high three RBI and Andrew Carpenter, who was 1-for-2 and drove in one with a solo home run, also chipped in two RBI. Jonathan Hickman (1-for-3) drove in two runs as well. Ryan Inches had a great start, allowing just one earned run and striking out five over seven innings of work.

In the second game, the Cougars won 12-2 in six innings. Cleveland State scored multiple runs in every inning but the fifth and sixth. Lance Dockery had three RBI during his 3-for-4 game, and Carpenter also drove in three runs. Hickman started the game and also pitched well, also allowing just one earned run over five innings of work with five strikeouts. He also drove in two runs in the game.

The Cougars will continue their series with the Chargers tomorrow with a single game at 1:00 ET.

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