Buccaneers Win Over Tigers in Late Rally

SAVANNAH, GA- After allowing the Tigers to take an early 5-0 lead of the game, the Buccaneers battled back in the last half of the game to win 7-5 over the Tigers of Savannah State University.  The win moves the Bucs to 7-6 on the season while the Tigers move to 5-8.

The Bucs allowed the Tigers to pull ahead by five in the first six innings, while the Tigers held the Bucs scoreless, despite the Bucs earning seven hits on the Tigers’ starting pitcher, Eric Ransom.  Neither pitcher would record the tally, with CSU’s closer, Brandon Roberts recording the win (1-0) and SSU’s Matthew Oglesby taking the loss (0-2).

The Bucs would earn their first run in the top of the seventh inning after being shutout by the Tigers who had scored five runs.  Center fielder Tom Burkett would put his one hit of the game to good use finding a gap in center field to bring home senior Keith Hustedt after Hudstedt doubled down the left field line. After stealing second, Burkett would advance to third on balk, and a second balk from the mound would bring Burkett home for the Bucs’ second run of the inning, for a 5-2 score.

The Bucs’ held off the Tigers through the remaining innings, while the Buc mound allowed only hits in one inning with Roberts brining in perfect numbers in the last two innings with four strikeouts on six batters.  The Bucs however, would score a run in the eighth after the Tigers went to the bullpen.  Catcher Jake Cox would take full advantage of Tiger errors to reach base and score to bring the Bucs within two runs to end the inning.

The Bucs would make their final push in the top of the ninth inning, scoring four runs to take the lead and would hold off the Tigers in the bottom of the inning to take the victory.  Senior Mark Perry went 3-4 in the game, using his final at bat to stretch out a triple, bringing home second basemen Scotty Radabaugh, before he would also cross the plate on a base hit from Tyler Thornburg.  The hit was Thornburg’s first of the game.  The Bucs would get their last two runs at the end of the inning on a base hit from senior Kory Morian, bringing home pinch runner Brantley Meier and Thornburg, for the Buccaneer win. 

The Buccaneers will return to the field tomorrow to host the Cougars of College of Charleston.  First pitch is slated for 3 p.m.