Bucs to Open Big South Play vs. High Point on Friday

Photo by Tim Andrews

CHARLESTON, S.C. – The CSU baseball team will open up the 2012 Big South Conference season this weekend when they host High Point University in a three-game series at CSU Ballpark.  The Bucs and the Panthers will meet Friday, Saturday and Sunday, with all games starting at 2 p.m.

GAME NOTES | LIVE STATS

SERIES HISTORY
When Charleston Southern opens 2012 Big South play on Friday vs. High Point, it will mark the 33rd meeting between the two schools. The Bucs currently lead the all-time series over the Panthers 22-10.

LAST FIVE MEETINGS
05/08/2011 CSU 13 High Point 6 Williard Stadium 
05/07/2011 CSU 10 High Point 3 Williard Stadium
05/06/2011 CSU   5 High Point 3 Williard Stadium
05/22/2010 High Point 16 CSU 11 CSU Ballpark
05/21/2010 High Point 10 CSU 8 CSU Ballpark

PROBABLE PITCHING MATCH UPS
Friday
CSU: Ryan Gunther (0-5, 4.72 ERA, 26.2 IP, 7 BB, 22 SO)
HPU: Ryan Retz (2-2, 4.68 ERA, 25.0 IP, 9 BB, 15 SO)

Saturday
CSU: Patrick Dolan (2-1, 5.04 ERA, 25.0 IP, 12 BB, 24 SO) 
HPU: Matt Armstead (2-2, 3.58 ERA, 32.2 IP, 14 BB, 19 SO)

Sunday
CSU: Charlie McCready (2-2, 2.57 ERA, 21.0 IP, 3 BB, 19 SO)
HPU: Jacob Newberry (3-0, 2.43 ERA, 29.2 IP, 8 BB, 21 SO)

STREAKING
Two current Bucs have active streaks going at the plate. Freshman Bobby Ison is currently riding an eight game hitting streak for CSU. Ison has hit safely in 21 of 22 games this season, including a 13 game hitting streak earlier in the year. Sophomore Alex Tomasovich has a reached base streak of 12 games at this time. Tomasovich drew a walk in Tuesday’s game vs. The Citadel to extend his streak.

HITS ALL AROUND
CSU has recorded double digits in the hit column in four of the last nine games. The Bucs had back-to-back 10 hit performances vs. Rider (3/9 and 3/10). They also collected 10 hits in game one of a doubleheader vs. Penn on 3/17 and then had 12 hits in game two the same day. Their season-high is 17 vs. Marshall back on 2/24.

BUCS IN BIG SOUTH RANKINGS
-Bobby Ison ranks 10th in batting average (.360)
-Ison also ranks tied for fourth in hits (32)
-Harrison Wilkins is fifth in walks (14)
-Charlie McCready is tied for second with one complete game
-CSU leads the BSC in runners caught stealing (15)

A NEW SEASON BEGINS
Friday marks the start of the 2012 Big South schedule for both CSU and High Point. Charleston Southern was picked sixth in the Big South Preseason Baseball Coaches Poll while the Panthers were picked eigth. The Bucs are 4-6 in their last 10 Big South opening series. Their last BSC opening series victory came in 2009 vs. UNC Asheville when they won the series two games to one.