Miraculous Comeback Gives CSU Double-Header Sweep of North Dakota State

Wes Brundridge

CHARLESTON, S.C. – After holding on to win game one, 6-4, Charleston Southern had to scrap for the sweep of the double header, coming from behind to win game two 5-4 in seven innings. CSU (9-7) leads the series 2-1, and will face North Dakota State (2-1) for the fourth and final game on Sunday at Collins Park.

Wes Brundridge led the way for CSU with a 3-for-6 day, including two runs and three RBI. Matt Steele also had three hits on the day, tallying two RBI in the first game, and starting off a seventh-inning rally in game two. Payton Tweddale and Ryan Rowland each moved their records to 2-1 on the season with wins on the mound, Saturday.

The Buccaneers made the most of their chances in game one, scoring six runs on eight hits. Two-on in the sixth, Sean Doherty reached on a bunt single to load the bases. The Buccaneers would take advantage of a wild pitch, and two sacrifice flies to plate three runs in the inning, taking a commanding 6-1 lead.

The Bison would come back, with three runs in the seventh, stringing together a couple of doubles, but Ryan Rowland shut them down, going the distance to get his second win of the season. Rowland is the first Buccaneer pitcher to record a complete game this season.

Game One Box

Games two didn’t look as positive for CSU as they found themselves down 4-0 in the final inning.

That’s when the bats woke up for CSU. Matt Steele, who had two RBI in game one, led the bottom of the seventh off with a single to left center. Chris Krogmeier followed suit and singled through the right side. A throwing error by the shortstop scored one run, starting the rally. Will Rodriguez was hit by a pitch, loading the bases with just one out, putting the tying run on base for CSU.

Sean Doherty scored one run with an RBI single, followed immediately by a two-RBI double by Wes Brundridge to tie the game at 4-4. The Bison would intentionally walk Justin Fyle to load the bases, and with the pressure on, Keith Stewart watched the full count pitch sail high, walking in the winning run for CSU.

Game Two Box