The Colts seemed in control after plating five runs in the fourth inning to construct a 9-3 lead.

But the Cougars answered with three runs in the fifth to cut the margin to 9-6.

In the home half, Philip Barbour tacked on three runs on RBI doubles from Rowan and starting pitcher Jack Wilson, along with Clint Auvil’s run-producing single.

A three-run double by Preston Ellis in seventh brought Lincoln within 12-9 but Landyn Carpenter fanned the final batter to end the contest.

Jack Wilson releases a pitch Thursday night against Lincoln. Wilson struck out eight batters in earning the win.

Leading 4-3 entering the bottom of the fourth, the Colts took advantage of a dropped third strike, a pair errors, Carpenter’s RBI sacrifice fly and run-scoring singles by Anthony Mosesso and Rowan to build their six-run cushion.

Will Wolfe started the scoring in the contest with a two-run triple in the first to treat the Cougars to the early lead.

Carpenter’s RBI single in the bottom of the inning cut the lead in half.

Noah Sears had an RBI double in the second to put Lincoln in front, 3-1.

Philip Barbour took the lead for good in the third when Mosesso had an RBI groundout and Rowan followed with a two-run single to make it 4-3.

Wilson and Rowan finished with three hits each in the win.

Sears had a pair of doubles to lead the Cougars.

Wilson went 5 2/3 innings to earn the win, allowing six runs — just three earned — on five hits and fanning eight.

The Colts (5-8) return to action at noon Saturday against Preston.