Bucs Pounce Cougars 17-9

Senior Anthony Hayes

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Buccaneer’s offense exploded early, scoring a combined 12 runs in the first two innings en route to a 17-9 victory, Tuesday afternoon at Buccaneer Field. All 17 of the Buccaneer runs came in the first four innings, as CSU improved to 6-3 on the season, while College of Charleston fell to 4-1.

Senior Anthony Hayes led the way offensively, going four-for-five from the plate with five RBI and a grand slam that broke open the game in the second inning. Four other Buccaneers had at least three hits, as Charleston Southern wracked up 22 hits in the victory. College of Charleston scored nine runs on 12 hits and committed three errors in the field. Starter Robert Jeraszko lasted just one and a third innings, giving up seven runs, six earned, on three CSU hits. In his first start of his career, Cody Higgins picked up the victory for the Bucs, going 5.2 innings, giving up five runs on seven hits. Relief pitcher senior Joey Timmerman gave up four runs on four hits for one inning. Sophomore T.J. Green closed out the game allowing just one hit.

Senior Justin Fyle hit his first homerun of the season in the first inning, a two run shot over the right field wall to give the Bucs a 2-0 lead going into the second.

The second inning saw 4 walks, 15 batters, and each Buccaneer batter scoring at least once for a ten-run inning. College of Charleston pitcher Robert Jeroszko walked in the first two runs of the inning before Barrett Kleinknecht came in to relieve. Wes Brundridge scored on a Matt Steele single before Hayes put the game away with a grand slam to give the Bucs a 9-0 lead. The Bucs hit four singles in a row to increase the lead to 12-0 to end the second.

In the third, Hayes scored on a Greene single to centerfield. Chris Krogmeier scored on a Doherty ground out to give the Bucs a 14-2 lead going into the fourth.

The Bucs would add three more in the fourth as the first six batters reached safely, scoring three runs on four hits, with a pair of walks mixed in.

The Cougars would chip into the lead, helped in large part by a four-run seventh inning, cutting the CSU lead to 17-9.

The Bucs and Cougars will each play against Cleveland State and George Mason this weekend, with CSU facing Cleveland State on Friday at 2 p.m. The Cougars will face George Mason on Friday at 5 p.m.