Bucs edge 18th-ranked College of Charleston, 8-7

Justin Fyle had two hits and two RBI for Bucs

CHARLESTON, S.C. – Charleston Southern overcame a 5-0 deficit and got a sterling relief performance from junior Ryan Sowers to defeat the 18^th-ranked College of Charleston Cougars, 8-7, on Tuesday at Buccaneer Field.

Sowers (4-0) held a powerful College of Charleston offense to two runs on five hits over 6 2/3 innings as the Buccaneers improved to 9-0 at home this season. The win, CSU’s second over a top 20 opponent this season, was the fourth straight and improved the Buccaneers overall record to 12-9.

"It’s a great win for this team and for these seniors because we have the utmost respect for College of Charleston. They truly are one of the nation’s top teams and we’re fortunate to win the game," said CSU head coach Jason Murray.

College of Charleston jumped on CSU starter Brad Bissell for three first inning runs and took a 5-0 lead after three innings, chasing Bissell after 2 1/3 innings. CSU answered with three runs in the fourth inning, keyed by Justin Fyle’s two-run double to right.

The Cougars (13-4) added two runs in the sixth but CSU tallied three runs in the bottom of the inning on Keith Stewart’s bases loaded double, cutting the margin to one at 7-6.

CSU scored a pair of unearned runs in the seventh after two Cougar errors and Sowers finished the game be retiring the final seven batters.

Senior designated hitter Jeff Kolhagen joined Fyle with two hits and two RBI each. College of Charleston outhit the Buccaneers, 12-8, but had only three hits over the final four innings.

Charleston Southern is scheduled to play a doubleheader at Savannah State on Wednesday before returning home for a weekend series against Fordham, starting on Friday afternoon.