CHARLESTON, S.C. - Visiting Winthrop scored four runs before Charleston Southern came to the plate but the Buccaneers would persevere, coming out with a 5-4 win on Friday afternoon at CSU Ballpark.

CSU evened its Big South record at 8-8 while improving to 17-28 overall. The Eagles dripped to 13-31 overall and 6-10 in Big South play.

Freshman Chase Shelton went three-for-three at the plate with a homerun and Blake Hunt added two hits to pace the Bucs' offensive attack.

Freshman Austin Weekley improved to 2-5 with the win in relief of CSU starter Ryan Gunther. Corey Deighan pitched a perfect ninth, including two strikeouts, to earn his fifth save of the season.

Gunther opened the game with walk to Eagles leadoff man Jason Drive but retired the next two hitters. A two-out walk led to Justin Hopper's two-run double to left center and a quick 2-0 lead. Chas Crane followed with a two-run homer to right for a 4-0 Winthrop advantage.

Gunther would compose himself after the shaky start, striking out seven in six innings of work and allowing only the four first-inning runs. He also allowed five hits while not issuing a walk after the first inning.

Winthrop starter Matt Pierpont was impressive on the mound in his seven innings of work. Shelton and Walt Quattlebaum belted back-to-back homeruns in the seventh but Pierpont allowed six hits total while striking out five and walking one.

The CSU offense would get some help from Winthrop's defense in the bottom of the eighth. Stetson Nelson came on to relief Pierpont to start the frame and gave up an infield single to Harrison Wilkins. Nelson was then lifted in favor of Tyler Klitsch. A sacrifice bunt from Jaren Sustar moved Wilkins up 90 feet to second base and a John Faircloth infield single put runners on the corners with one out. Alex Tomasovich then hit a ground ball to second base that was set to score Wilkins, but Patrick McLendon misplayed it for an error, allowing Tomasovich to advance to second and Faircloth to third. After Shelton was intentionally walked to load the bases, Quattlebaum struck out for the second out. Faircloth was hung up down the third base line but catcher Tyler Donovan's errant throw to third went down the line in left, allowing both Faircloth and Tomasovich to score the tying and go ahead runs.

Weekley, who relieved Gunther to begin the seventh inning, was perfect in his two innings.

Klitsch (2-6) took the loss for Winthrop despite not allowing an earned run.

Game two of the series will be tomorrow afternoon at CSU Ballpark. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.