Bucs Set to Host Eagles

Photo by Tim Andrews

CHARLESTON, S.C. - The Buccaneers will look to get back on track following a tough 2-1 loss at Georgia Southern when they host Winthrop in a return to Big South action at CSU Ballpark this weekend.  The series kicks off on Friday afternoon with first pitch slated for 2 p.m.

GAME NOTES | LIVE STATS

SERIES HISTORY
Friday’s contest is the 71st meeting between Winthrop and Charleston Southern in baseball. Charleston Southern won the series last season 2-1 and also defeated the Eagles in the Big South Tournament. However, Winthrop currently leads the overall series over the Bucs 47-23.

LAST FIVE MEETINGS
05/25/2011 CSU 9 Winthrop 3       Gray-Minor Stadium (VMI)
04/23/2011 CSU 7 Winthrop 3       The Winthrop Ballpark
04/23/2011 CSU 7 Winthrop 6       The Winthrop Ballpark
04/22/2011 Winthrop 3 CSU 2       The Winthrop Ballpark
04/11/2010 Winthrop 7 CSU 3       CSU Ballpark

PROBABLE STARTING PITCHERS
Friday
Winthrop: TBA
CSU: Junior RHP Ryan Gunther (0-7, 3.36 ERA, 61.2 IP, 14 BB, 41 K)

Saturday
Winthrop: TBA
CSU: Senior RHP Patrick Dolan (3-4, 6.16 ERA, 49.2 IP, 33 BB, 38 K)

Sunday
Winthrop: TBA
CSU: Senior LHP Charlie McCready (3-3, 3.86 ERA, 53.2 IP, 13 BB, 32 K)

STREETT CASHES IN OPPORTUNITIES
Freshman Robbie Streett has made the most of the opportunities given to him this season whether it be as a pinch-hitter or a starter. Streett has appeared in 26 games while starting 19 of those, including the last eight for the Bucs. He currently boasts a 12 game hitting streak, the second longest on the team this season (Bobby Ison, 13). Over that span, Streett is hitting .466 with six doubles and seven RBI while also scoring four runs.

BUCKING THE COMPETITION
It’s been over a month since relief pitcher Denis Buckley has allowed a run. The right-hander has thrown 13 innings over that span and has surrendered just nine hits while picking up one win and one save in the process.

HITTING WHEN IT COUNTS
CSU’s bats have been on full display during Big South competition this spring. In Big South only games the Bucs are currently tops in the conference in team batting average, hitting .303 collectively. Individually, junior John Faircloth ranks eighth in Big South only games hitting .377 while freshman Chase Shelton comes in tenth in the same rankings with a .362 average.

ON DECK
On tap for Charleston Southern this coming week is a non-conference clash with cross-town rival College of Charleston on Wednesday at CSU Ballpark. The game is a make-up game from a rained out contest earlier this year with first pitch scheduled at 3:00 p.m.