Early Runs Cost Bucs in 6-4 Loss to Furman

Justin Fyle hit his second homer of the season

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Buccaneers fell behind early and couldn’t catch up to Furman as Charleston Southern dropped a 6-4 decision to the Paladins. Furman improved their record to 2-3, while the Bucs fell to 7-6 on the season.

The Bucs would tally 10 hits, with Justin Fyle, Mark Perry and Sean Doherty each notching a pair of hits. Fyle led the way with three RBI, two coming on a long-ball in the sixth inning. On the mound, starter Mike Mead fell to 0-2 on the season after giving up five of the six Paladin runs. Andrew White would surrender the other run, while Cody Higgins and Payton Tweddale combined to pitch the final four shut-out innings. Matt Klinker earned the victory for Furman, moving to 2-1 on the season. The Paladins took advantage of 13 hits and three Buccaneer errors to score their six runs. Joe Daysh was 3-5 on the day for Furman, scoring twice.

Furman jumped on top in the second after Daysh led off the inning with a single to centerfield. After stealing second, Daysh would score on a RBI single through the left side by Paul Ortenzo. Ortenzo would later score on a fielder’s choice to give the Paladins the 2-0 lead.

The Paladins would add to their lead in the third with a three-run homerun by Tony Maccani, putting Furman up 5-0. They would tack on one more run in the fifth when Maccani reach on an error and worked his way around to score on a Hubbard single.

The Buccaneers would start their comeback in the sixth, scoring two runs on a Fyle homer, after Brundridge drew the walk. The Bucs would threaten again with runners on second and third, but were unable to plate the runs.

CSU would add one more in each of the seventh and ninth innings, as the Bucs loaded the bases in the seventh, scoring one run on a Fyle sacrifice fly. Mark Perry led off the ninth with a single, going to third on a Sean Doherty double. Perry would later score on a fielder’s choice, but again, CSU would do no more damage.

The Bucs will host North Dakota State for a four-game set this weekend, starting Friday afternoon at 2 p.m.