Bucs Come From Behind to Down Radford 6-4

Jake Cox and Derek Smith each homered in the victory

RADFORD, Va.— Charleston Southern rallied for four runs in the top of the sixth to edge Radford 6-4 in a conference game at Dedmon Center Park.

Radford (14-10, 1-1) built a 4-1 lead after four innings of play but the Charleston Southern (10-14, 1-1)  pitching duo of Antyony Markham and Payton Tweddale limited RU to two hits in the final five innings to set up the rally ending the Highlanders five game winning streak.

For the second day in a row and the sixth time this season, freshman Derek Smith homered for CSU, one of three Bucs to record two hits. Jake Cox also went deep for CSU with his first homerun of the season.  Taylor Black finished the day two-for-three with a double and three RBI, while Nick Chinners had a two-for-four afternoon.

Markham earned the win on the mound for CSU pitching 3.1 innings in relief of starter Cody Higgins, who surrendered all four Radford runs. Tweddale earned his fourth save of the season going an inning and two-thirds without giving up a hit.

In addition to the two homers, Taylor Black would add a two run double in the sixth before Mark Perry lifted a sacrifice fly to center for the final run of the inning. In the eighth, CSU added an unearned run on a Black single after a throwing error put Tyler Thornburg in scoring position.

Adam Hoyt started for the Highlanders picking up a no decision after going five innings giving up four runs, while striking out five, while John Lloyd took the loss in relief after going just two and two-thirds innings but giving up the two go-ahead runs.

The opening series will be decided Sunday with the first pitch scheduled for 1 p.m. from Dedmon Center Park.