WILMINGTON, N.C. – Columbia erased a two-run deficit with a three spot in the top of the ninth, rallying past UNCG 8-7 in nonconference baseball action Sunday afternoon at Brooks Field.

The Lions (3-5) touched up the Spartan bullpen with seven runs over the final three frames after scoring just one through the first six innings. Columbia out-hit UNCG (6-10) 13-7 while the teams combined for four errors – three by the Lions.

Redshirt sophomore LHP Julian Abreu (0-2) took the loss, giving up three runs on four hits in just two thirds of an inning. Matt Robinson was credited with the victory for the Lions tossing the final two innings and allowing just one run on one hit with a walk and strikeout.

Freshman infielder Austin Embler and senior infielder Aaron Wright notched two hits apiece to lead the Spartan offense with Wright scoring a pair of runs and Embler tallying two RBI. Senior infielder Hunter King also chipped in with three runs scored. Joe Falcone paced the Columbia attack with a three-hit performance.

Consecutive singles to lead off the top of the second had Columbia in business but Spartan starter Michael Bates bit back. He induced a flyout to center before striking out the next two hitters to erase the Lions in the half inning. UNCG put up an offensive threat of its own in the bottom of the frame and capitalized. A pair of walks sandwiched around a Eric Kalbfleisch single loaded the bases with one out. Freshman designated hitter Devin Ruiz proceeded to draw the Spartans' third walk of the inning, bringing home the first run of the game before Embler came through with a clutch two-out, two-run single up the middle to leave the Blue and Gold with a 3-0 advantage.

The Lions put together a two-out rally in the top of the fifth, putting runners on the corners with consecutive two-out singles. However, senior RHP Brennen James was able to induce a fielder's choice out to second base to escape damage.

After getting two quick outs in the top of the sixth, the Spartans ran into some two-out trouble as James issued a walk to Gus Craig. A double by Nick Maguire and a John Kinne RBI single plated Columbia's first run of the game but that would be all for the Lions thanks to a 4-3 groundout that terminated the threat. Ruiz answered Columbia's run with a RBI single in the bottom of the sixth to build the UNCG lead back to three runs.

The Lions kept the pressure on in the top of the seventh, scoring two unearned runs off a hit and a Spartan error to slice their deficit to just one at 4-3. Wright responded with a solo home run after the stretch to push the Blue and Gold back ahead 5-3. With one away in the top of the eighth, senior reliever Tyler Frazier came on in relief and walked the bases loaded. Columbia was able to cash in with a two-run single by Will Savage that knotted the score at five. 

UNCG took advantage of some defensive miscues in the bottom of the eighth to recapture the lead. Kalbfleisch was hit by a pitch and King drew a walk. Both runners then moved up a base via a wild pitch before a failed pickoff attempt to second base allowed Kalbfleisch to scoot home. A second run came in when senior outfielder Nick Chapman laid down a textbook suicide squeeze to plate King and leave the Blue and Gold with a 7-5 advantage.

Down to its last three outs, the Lions mounted a big rally. Falcone doubled to lead off and scored on a single by Craig. Maguire followed with a two-run home run to left center to put Columbia in the lead for the first time at 8-7. A strikeout, groundout and flyout sent the game to the bottom of the ninth inning with UNCG needing a run to tie and two to win.

The Spartans had a runner in scoring position with one out in the bottom of the ninth, but a strikeout and groundout allowed the Lions to secure the win.

UNCG returns to action Tuesday at 6 p.m. hosting NC State at the UNCG Baseball Stadium.

Keep up with the UNCG baseball team all season by logging on to www.uncgspartans.com and following the Spartans' official Twitter accounts @UNCGBaseball/@uncgsports.