The Panthers played one of their best games of the season, but the team could not overcome some fielding miscues and some tough Cougar hitting proved to be too much for the team to overcome. As a team, the Panthers compiled six hits in the game, but the team also added three fielding errors. Claflin senior centerfielder Kobe Miller led the way with a two-for-four batting effort with a run scored. Junior catcher D.J. Mungenast added a two-for-four performance of his own with a run batted in (RBI).
 
The Panthers took an early lead, but they could not fend off the Cougars. Mungenast got things started with a first inning RBI single that scored Miller. From there, the Panthers allowed nine unanswered runs to Columbus State before senior outfielder Eric Sledge hit an RBI groundout in the seventh inning to round out the Panthers' scoring. Both teams turned up their defensive efforts in the final two innings of play as neither team scored another run and the game ended with the 9-2 Claflin loss.
 
Claflin senior Michael Bailey (0-6) got the start and took the pitching loss. He threw 4.1 innings and he finished with six runs scored (six earned) with a strikeout. Freshman Anthony Mack added another 1.2 innings on the mound with three runs scored (one earned) with a strikeout. Sledge came in to close out the game with two innings on the mound. He finished the game with no runs allowed and a strikeout.
 
With the loss, the Panthers close out the 2024 season with a 1-44 overall record and a 0-26 record in Peach Belt Conference (PBC) play. For more information on Panthers baseball, contact the Claflin University Office of Athletics Media Relations at (803) 535-5548 or log on to www.athletics.claflin.edu.