Albany State falls to Columbus State, suffers first home loss

ALBANY — For three innings Tuesday afternoon, it looked like just another comfortable day at Albany State West.

The breeze blew in. The Golden Rams threw strikes. The runs came — even if they arrived in the most unconventional way.

Then, just like that, it flipped.

Columbus State took advantage of one shaky inning and never let Albany State recover, handing the Golden Rams their first home loss of the season with a 7-2 victory on a crisp, wind-swept afternoon.

“That’s the frustrating part,” Albany State head coach Scot Hemmings said. “We had chances to stretch the lead, and then once again free passes in the fourth and again in the seventh hurt us.”

For a while, it felt like Albany State (16-12) was in complete control.

Former Worth County standout Jeremiah Reddell set the tone early, tossing three hitless innings with calm efficiency. He wasn’t overpowering, but he didn’t need to be — working quickly, trusting his defense, and keeping Columbus State (18-9) off balance.

“I was really proud to see Jeremiah throw the way he did today,” Hemmings said. “He looked like his old self.”

Behind him, the Golden Rams manufactured runs in the second inning without the benefit of a big swing — or even a clean one.

Westover grad Arin Chevers sparked the rally with a single, then advanced on a wild pitch. Emory Stephens struck out but reached on another wild pitch, with Chevers moving to third. Another wild pitch pushed Stephens to second, and then another brought Chevers home.

Moments later, Mylon Uribe grounded out to score Stephens, and Albany State had a 2-0 lead after two innings — a small cushion, but one that felt significant in a game where the wind was knocking balls down and offense came at a premium.

Or so it seemed.

Baseball, as it tends to do, turned in a single inning.

In the fourth, the Cougars didn’t overpower Albany State — they outlasted it.

A hit batter. A walk. Another free pass. Then the swings came.

Three straight singles — including a two-run hit from Corey Berry — flipped the scoreboard and the feel of the game, turning a 2-0 Albany State lead into a 4-2 deficit before the inning could settle.

Hemmings went to his bullpen, using three pitchers in the inning, but the damage had already been done.

From there, Columbus State did what good teams do on the road — they added on and took the life out of the game.

The Cougars pushed across two more runs in the seventh — again aided by walks and a hit batter — and tacked on another in the eighth to stretch the lead to five.

Albany State, meanwhile, had its chances.

The Golden Rams finished with six hits, including doubles from David Cooper and Jaden Camp, and Chevers led the way with a 2-for-4 day. But too often, those moments stalled before they could become something more.

“We just have to find some kind of rhythm on offense and get going,” Hemmings said. “We’re having a good year — I just wish we would be a little more consistent in the box.”

There were still positives.

Reddell’s start was as encouraging as it has been all season. Andrew Keown and Luke Hayes combined for solid relief work, with Hayes striking out two in a clean inning to close his outing. The defense even turned a key double play to momentarily halt Columbus State’s momentum.

But on this day, the margins were thin — and the mistakes were not.

Columbus State drew seven walks and took advantage of two Albany State errors, turning patience into production and pressure into runs.

And just like that, the Golden Rams’ home-field edge — unbeaten until Tuesday — was gone.

The timing, though, may not be the worst thing.

Albany State returns to conference play this weekend with a three-game SIAC series against Clark Atlanta, beginning Friday at 5 p.m. at Albany State West.

“I’m looking forward to getting back after it on Friday,” Hemmings said.