Former Liberty County Panther Cole Martin led a 17-hit Columbus State University Cougar strike in game one of a double-header versus the Armstrong Atlantic State University Pirates Saturday.
The Cougars ended up winning game one 16-2. The Pirates came back in game two, however, edging out a one-point win 5-6.
Martin, who was nominated LCHS Athlete of the Year during his senior year, went 4 for 5 in game one, starting a hitting spree that kept the Cougars out of the Pirate’s reach.
At Liberty, Martin lettered all four years and posted a .464 average with four homers and 33 RBIs in his senior season. He went on to attend junior college at Gordon College where he batted a .301 with 10 homers and 61 RBIs. He stole 24 bases and was second team All-Region in 2005.
In 2006 he was recruited to play for Columbus State but was red shirted with an injury. He played in 24 games and started in nine during the 2007 season. Martin batted .233 with a homer and three RBIs. He had 10 hits including four doubles and one triple and scored cored eight runs and one stolen base.
Martin is the son of Jimmy and Susan Martin of Hinesville.