Bucs Win Conference Opener, 8-7

Senior Tyler Thornburg recorded his third win of the season closing out the Bucs' game against UNCA

CHARLESTON, SC-  The Buccaneers opened their 2009 conference play hosting the Bulldogs of UNC Asheville Friday afternoon at Buccaneer Ballpark.  The Buccaneers would take their first conference win by a final of 8-7, after a back and forth battle for control of the scoreboard.  The win bringing the Bucs to 5-5, and 1-0 in the Big South, while the Bulldogs move to 2-8 and 0-1 in league play.

Sophomore Anthony Markham made his third appearance of the season on the mound making the start with 5.0 innings pitched, allowing six hits and striking out five while facing 21 Bulldogs.  Senior pitcher Tyler Thornburg (3-0) would come from right field in the top of the eighth to record the win for the Bucs. UNC Asheville’s closer, Ryan Dull would record the loss after 4.0 inning pitched with four strikeouts and five hits. 

The Bulldogs took an early lead in the top of the first scoring two runs off a homer from Reed Kreiser.  But their lead would be short lived as the Bucs would score two runs on a two-out rally in the bottom of the inning to tie the game.  The Bucs first two run of the game would be driven in  on an RBI single from senior Kory Morian, followed by a double RBI from first basemen Nick Chinners to bring Tyler Thornburg across home plate, tying the game at 2-2.

The Bulldogs would add one more to the scoreboard on a single run homer from Cody Buch, but the Bucs would again take the lead back in the bottom of the inning scoring three more runs.  Freshman third basemen Patrick Dolan’s double RBI down the right field line would bring home Brantley Meier and Tom Burkett after a double steal at second and third from the pair to put them in scoring position.  Thornburg would follow the runs with a ground-out to the shortstop, but record an RBI, bringing home the designated hitter, Scotty Radabaugh after a walk to first.  The Bucs would leave the inning one play later on top of the Bulldogs 5-3.

After a silent third inning from both teams, the Bulldogs would tie the game at five runs in the top of the fourth, holding the Bucs to the tie until the bottom of the fifth inning after taking advantage of the Bulldog bullpen.  Ryan Dull would take the mound after a single batter in the fifth, allowing two of his five hits in the fifth.  Thornburg would score his second run of the night on an RBI single from senior catcher Jake Cox, putting the Bucs back on top of the game 6-5.

The Bucs would go to the bullpen for the sixth inning for Brandon Roberts who allowed the Bulldogs two runs on three hits in his 2.0 innings.  The two Bulldog runs put UNC Asheville back in control of the scoreboard by a single run in the top of the seventh inning.  The Bucs would, however, make a tie of their own in the bottom of the inning, capitalizing on an error in the outfield that brought home senior Kory Morian after tallying his second hit of the game, tying the game at 7-7. 

The Bucs would hold the Bulldogs to the tie in the top of the eighth as closer Tyler Thornburg went 3-4, allowing one hit in the eighth.  CSU would bring home the winning run in the bottom of the eighth after a sacrifice bunt from Radabaugh to place Brantley Meier in scoring position.  Thornburg would tally his second RBI of the game on a base hit bringing Meier across the plate to take the lead 8-7.  Thornburg would again go 3-4, allowing one hit in the top the ninth, but would close the game with Buccaneer win after allowing no runs, and only two hits.

The Buccaneers continue their series with the Bulldogs at Buccaneer Ballpark with a double header on Saturday.  The first pitch of the day is slated for 11:30 a.m.