Bucs Score Early but Drop to Eagles

STATESBORO, GA-  The Buccaneers were on the road for the first of two non-conference events this week as they traveled to JI Clements Stadium to face the Eagles of Georgia Southern.  Despite being first on the scoreboard, the Bucs dropped the game 12-1, while the Eagles added late runs to seal their victory.  The loss moves the Bucs to 13-27 on the season while their conference stands at 8-11.  The Eagles advanced to 29-9 on the season.

 Buc opener, freshman Patrick Dolan tallied the loss on the mound in 5.0 innings of work, giving up five runs on seven hits and retiring two.  The Bucs saw a total of six pitchers take the mound.  Eagles' opener, William Moye tallied the win to continue his undefeated season at 5-0.  Moye pitched 8.0 innings, giving up the single Buc run on five hits while striking out three.

 The Bucs were led offensively by first baseman Nick Chinners and Tyler Thornburg who combined for four hits on the evening.  Chinners went two-for-three while Thornburg went two-for-four and tallied the sole RBI of the night for the Buccaneers.

CSU was first to get on the board with a run in the top of the first and holding the Eagles scoreless until the bottom of the second.  Centerfielder Tom Burkett, batting in the two spot, tallied the first base hit for the Bucs with a single to right field, and was driven home on a RBI double from Thornburg with two out and two on to put the Bucs on the board.

 The Eagles tallied their first run in the second to tie the game while scoring additional runs in five of the eight innings at bat, for 12 runs on 11 hits.  The Eagles outhit the Bucs 11-6, but tallied two errors to CSU’s one, and left eight stranded.

 The Bucs continue their non-conference play with a meeting at Furman against the Paladins.  It will be the second time the programs have met this season.  First pitch is slated for 6:00 p.m. in Greenville, South Carolina.