ATHENS, Ga.  — Columbia baseball built an early lead behind a grand slam from Jackson Brewer, but No. 5 Georgia stormed back with 16 unanswered runs to hand the Lions a 16-6 loss in seven innings on Saturday at Foley Field.

Columbia (1-8) struck first, manufacturing a run in the second and adding another in the third before a four-run outburst in the fourth. Brewer's grand slam highlighted the frame, giving the Lions a 6-0 advantage. Griffin Palfrey added a triple and scored, while Tate Vogler chipped in with an RBI double.

However, Georgia (17-1) responded with a five-run fourth, then exploded with seven runs in the fifth and four more in the sixth. Robbie Burnett led the Bulldogs' offensive surge, going 2-for-3 with a three-run homer and two runs scored.
Columbia starter Jagger Edwards cruised through the first three innings before running into trouble in the fourth. He finished with six strikeouts in four innings of work. Thomas Santana took the loss out of the bullpen.

The Bulldogs' pitching settled in late, holding Columbia scoreless over the final three frames. Kolten Smith earned his first win of the season four innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts. 

Brewer led Columbia at the plate, going 2-for-4 with four RBIs and two runs scored while Palfrey finished 2-for-4.

Columbia and Georgia will wrap up the series on Sunday, March 9. First pitch is set for 12 p.m. on SEC Network+.

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