By BRYAN GRISHAM

CSCC Sports Information Director

The Cleveland State Cougars needed some of their patented last at-bat magic to pull out a win on Tuesday afternoon as they split a doubleheader with the Georgia Perimeter Jaguars, taking the first game 5-2 and dropping the second game 4-3.

Cody Hooper put the Cougars (31-15) on top in the first inning with an RBI single as he plated Troy Zawadzki who had also singled. The Jaguars tied the contest in the second as Josh Chambers doubled in a run.

The Jaguars took the lead in the fifth inning as Trent Freeman singled in a run for a 2-1 lead.

Down to their last three outs, the Cougars put on their rally caps and went to work. Andrew Root took advantage of his only at-bat as he chipped in with a run-scoring pinch hit single to tie the game at 2-2. An intentional walk and an error then put two runners on base for Hooper who proceeded to end game one with a long three-run homer to give the Cougars a dramatic come-from-behind win.

Chad Fromm (4-0) tossed one inning of scoreless relief to pick up the win while Cody Ferrell started the game and pitched six strong innings for the Cougars. Alex Mahncke took the loss for the Jaguars. Hooper went 3-4 with four big RBIs in the game.

Game two was a lot like the first one as pitching dominated most of the day. Once again, the Cougars put a run on the board in the first frame as Zawadzki dialed long distance for a solo homer and a 1-0 lead.

The Jaguars took the lead in the fourth inning with a pair of long balls. Charley Boring hit a solo dinger and Hunter Pope added a two-run shot to give the visitors a 3-1 lead.

The Cougars tied the game in the bottom of the frame as Lance Rorex pushed a run across with a bases loaded walk and Hooper came home with the tying run on a wild pitch.

Drew Dentler came up with the big hit for the Jaguars in the sixth inning with a two-out double to put the visitors on top for good 4-3.

Tyler Akins struck out the side in the seventh to pick up the save for the Jaguars as he finished up for Josh Tapley who got the win and Jake Dyer who started the game. Phil Mariani suffered the loss for the Cougars in relief of Stephen Pryor who strarted the contest. Boring, Pope and Dentler had two hits each to lead the Jaguars while  Root led the cougars with a pair of hits.

The Cougars will now get ready for a big weekend conference series as they host Roane State on Friday and Saturday.