Buccaneers fall to seventh-ranked Gamecocks, 3-2, in season opener

Junior Jordan Haar had two hits and two RBI in opener

COLUMBIA, SC - Charleston Southern's baseball team opened the 2004 season with a 3-2 loss to seventh-ranked South Carolina on Friday afternoon at Sarge Frye Field. The Bucs and Gamecocks resume their three-game series on Saturday afternoon.

South Carolina's Steven Tolleson had three hits, including the game-winning two-run homerun in the fourth inning, to pace the Gamecocks. Charleston Southern junior centerfielder Jordan Haar accounted for both of CSU's runs, leading off the game with a solo homerun to left center and driving in a run with a single in the eighth.

CSU starter R. J. Swindle took the loss, allowing three runs on six hits in six innings of work. Swindle struck out five and walked two. South Carolina starter Aaron Rawl picked up the win, allowing a run on three hits with eight strikeouts in six innings of work. Three USC pitchers combined to strike out 16 Buccaneers on the day.

"I thought it was a well-played baseball game, a game with some very good pitching on both sides," said CSU head coach Gary Murphy. "I thought we pitched about as well as we could. There will not be a lot of teams hold those guys to three runs this year. We would have liked to have a few more hits in some key situations but you have to credit their pitching as well. They were excellent today."

In addition to Haar's two hits, junior shortstop Billy Dalton aded a pair of hits in three trips. Third baseman Brad Woods and right fielder Mike Blankenship each had a hit as well for the Buccaneers.

First pitch for Saturday's game is scheduled for 1 p.m. With inclement weather expected, the two teams could play a doubleheader on Sunday if Saturday's game is postponed.