CSU Downs Gardner-Webb 13-3

BOILING SPRINGS, NC-  The Buccaneers outscored new conference rival Gardner-Webb by a final of 13-3 in their first of a three-game series on Friday afternoon in Boiling Springs.  The win moves the Bucs to 9-10 on the season and 4-2 in the Big South, while Gardner-Webb moved to 11-3 and 3-1 in league play.

The Bus’ opener Anthony Markham (1-2) would record the win for CSU, and teammate Keith Hustedt would record his first save of the season.  The Bulldogs’ Brooks would tally the loss, his first of the season. 

The Bucs would start things off quickly scoring four runs on the first inning.  Senior Tyler Thornburg and centerfielder Tom Burkett would be firsts to cross the plate after taking advantage of a Bulldog error at the mound.  Senior Kory Morian would bring home first baseman Nick Chinners on a single up the left side.  Morian would reach home after taking advantage of another Bulldog error and stealing third, to give the Bucs’ a 4-0 advantage.  The Bucs would hold the Bulldogs scoreless until the bottom of the third, with Gardner-Webb tallying two runs. 

The Bucs would add another three runs in the fourth giving CSU a 7-2 lead.  Senior catcher Jake Cox starting the lineup off with a walk, then Mark Perry would follow a single up the left side.  The Buccaneer’s would tally all three runs on a three-run homer from centerfielder Tom Burkett dropped a hit beyond the fence, his fifth of the season. 

The Bucs and the Bulldogs both would add another run to their tally in the sixth inning.  The Bulldogs would start the sixth going to the bullpen, before Burkett would hit another hard ball for a single, before stealing both second and third to put him in scoring position for the Bucs, but would be caught in the cross hairs of an out at home plate.  Freshman Patrick Dolan would bat in Thornburg from third for the Bucs solo run of the inning.  The Bulldogs would add their third run of the game on a Fulginiti would hit a single through the left side.

The Bulldogs would be held to their three runs while the Bucs would add another five in the last two innings.  The Bucs would capitalize on Bulldog errors to add four runs in the eighth after both Chinners and Thornburg each reached base on errors in the infield, allowing lead-off batter Burkett to reach home.  Brantley Meier would follow with a single bunt to bring home Thornburg for his third run of the game.  Dolan would sacrifice a bunt moving Chinners and Meier into scoring position.  Designated hitter, Derek Smith lived up to his duties as DH, hitting a double into center, driving home both runners on base, giving the Bucs a 12-3 lead.  Their last run would come in the ninth inning when leadoff batter Scotty Radabaugh would reach home on Chinner’s third hit of the night.