Bucs Down Bulldogs in Late Rally, 11-4

BOILING SPRINGS, N.C. - A late rally pushed Charleston Southern past the Gardner-Webb on Sunday afternoon for a final of 11-4. The Bulldogs were once again quick to take control of the game, but the Bucs kept pace and a big eighth inning sealed the victory for the Buccaneers.

The Bucs’ Patrick Dolan lead the Bucs from the plate going four-for-five on the afternoon, while Tyler Thornburg went three-for-four and lead the team with three runs and three RBI. 

Senior Kory Morian and Thornburg would each add to their home run tally for the season with Thornburg hitting his second and Morian dropped his third.

In a repeat of yesterday’s events, the Bulldogs were quick to take control of the game going up 3-0 in the second inning.  After a silent third, the Bucs would respond with two runs of their own in the top of the fourth to come within one.  Center fielder Tom Burkett would be the first to cross home on sacrifice fly from senior Mark Perry after starting the inning off with a walk.  Senior Tyler Thornburg would follow with a second run, scoring off a single from freshman Patrick Dolan.

The Bulldogs would make their advantage two runs in the bottom of the fourth scoring a single off a home over the center field wall from Boyles, to put the score at 4-2.  It would however, be the Bulldogs last time to cross the plate for the afternoon.

The Bucs would score in the last four of five innings, with five runs in the eighth to push them past the Bulldogs for the win.  Thornburg’s double to center field would drive home second basemen Scotty Radabaugh, before Thornburg himself would cross the plate on an RBI single from Nick Chinners to tie the game at four runs a piece.

The Bucs would tally a single run in the seventh off a solo homer form right fielder Tyler Thornburg, his second of the season, before following in eighth inning with five runs.

Senior Kory Morian would start the inning for the Bucs with a solo home run over the left center wall, his third of the season, while senior Jake Cox would follow with a triple.  Perry would tally his second RBI of game, bringing home Cox on single to right center field.  Radabaugh would tally his second hit and tally two RBI on a single up the middle to bring home Perry and pinch runner Brantley Meier, before advancing to second on a Bulldog throw.  Burkett would sacrifice a bunt to advance Radabaugh to third before Thornburg would foul out to right field, giving Rababaugh time to reach home.  The Bucs saw three Bulldog pitchers take the mound in the eighth, while heading to the field up 10-4.

Dolan would score the Bucs’ final run in the top of the ninth on a sacrifice fly from Perry, to seal the Bucs’ win 11-4.

The Bucs’ next take the field Tuesday, March 24 against the Paladins of Furman University at Buccaneer Ballpark at 2 p.m.