Big Inning Lifts Bucs Past Eastern Illinois 7-1

Ryan Smart

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The Buccaneers broke open a scoreless game with a big two-out rally in the sixth inning, taking the 7-1 victory over Eastern Illinois, Tuesday afternoon at Buccaneer Field. The Buccaneers evened their record at 11-11, while EIU fell to 3-7 on the season.

Mike Mead (1-2) took the victory for the Bucs, going six full innings giving up just two hits. Ryan Smart was the lone Buccaneer with two hits as CSU scored their seven runs on just two hits, using one of the Panther’s two errors to aid in the big inning.

Tied at 0-0 in the sixth, Panther reliever Jake Wade got two quick outs. A walk to Anthony Hayes, followed by a single up the middle by Chris Krogmeier got the rally started. The next four batters would all walk as the Bucs loaded the bases, and went on to score three runs. Two more runs would come across on a throwing error on a Justin Fyle single. A single by Stephen Herzog would get the final two runs across on a two-RBI single up the middle. The Buccaneers used just two hits to score the seven runs, breaking the game wide open.

Eastern Illinois would score one run in the top of the seventh when a sacrifice fly by Ryan Meyer scored Richie Derbak, who had drawn a leadoff walk.

The Bucs will start Big South play this weekend, facing V.M.I. on Friday at Buccaneer Field. Game one is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.