CHARLESTON, S.C. - Charleston Southern hits the road for their final nonconference game of the 2021 spring season as the Buccaneers make the trip to Founders Park for a Tuesday night contest against No. 11 South Carolina. First pitch between the Bucs and the Gamecocks is set for 7 p.m. and will be carried live on SECN+.

Game Day Information
Charleston Southern at South Carolina
7 p.m. * Columbia, S.C. * Founders Park
Live Stats * Listen * SECN+
Projected Starters: CSU RHP Jordan Bridges (1-0, 4.70 ERA) vs. USC RHP Jack Mahoney (1-0, 1.80 ERA)

On the Road Again
Charleston Southern continues just the Bucs' second road trip in the 2021 spring season this week as CSU hits the road to South Carolina. The Bucs are 4-7 away from Nielsen Field at the CSU Ballpark this season and are coming off a tough weekend against Campbell with CSU falling in two of the three in the series against the Camels. CSU closes out the road portion of their season with two more road trips late in the year with the Bucs traveling to UNC Asheville (Apr. 23-24), Radford (May 14-15), and Longwood (May 20-21).

Recapping Last Weekend
Charleston Southern dropped a conference weekend series for just the second time in the 2021 season as the Buccaneers fell in two of the three games at Jim Perry Stadium in Buies Creek, N.C. to Campbell University. The Bucs took Friday's opening game against the Camels, but Campbell rallied back to take the Saturday doubleheader to capture the series in the lone meeting between the two teams this season.

The combination of R.J. Petit and Andrew Bullock powered the Buccaneers past Campbell in the weekend opening 10-6 win over the Camels. Bullock drilled a third-inning grand slam and added a RBI groundout in the fifth inning, while Johnny Oliveira added a solo home run to guide the Bucs' offense in the game. Petit went seven strong innings allowing just one run on seven hits while striking out six in his third win of the season.

Saturday's doubleheader saw Campbell take the opener behind a strong pitching and hitting performance by the Camels' to even the series with the 12-2 win. Kyle Sandstrom had two of CSU's six hits in the contest, while Campbell was led by Spencer Packard's grand slam and Collin Wolf's two-run shot to hold off the Bucs.

In the finale, Campbell struck early in the contest and limited Charleston Southern's comeback opportunities in the 7-2 win. Sandstrom, Tyrell Brewer, and Sam Trend-Beacom recorded CSU's singles, while Alex Andronica posted a trio of walks in the game as the Bucs found ways to get on base throughout the contest against the Camels. However, CSU was unable to get the timely hit to fight their way back into the contest in the Saturday setback.

Last Time Against South Carolina
South Carolina took advantage of a six-run second-inning on their way to taking the last contest between the Buccaneers and the Gamecocks in a neutral-site contest at SRP Park in North Augusta on April 23, 2019.

A leadoff home run got the Gamecocks going before they rattled-off six runs in the second to break the game open and take an 8-0 lead through the first two frames. Senior outfielder Josh Litchfield got the Bucs on the board in the fourth with an RBI double before a throwing error with two outs brought home two more Buccaneer runners and a three-run frame.

The Bucs were unable to complete the comeback attempt despite standout performances from the bullpen as CSU locked the Gamecocks down over the final 6.1 innings in the loss.

All-Time Series Against the Gamecocks
The Charleston Southern – South Carolina baseball series is one of the longest in CSU program history dating back to its inception all the way back in 1972. The Buccaneers are 13-77 all-time against the Gamecocks with their last win coming in 2018 when CSU topped the Gamecocks, 4-2, thanks to strong outings from Tyler Weekley and Daniel Johnson.

South Carolina took the inaugural matchup between the two programs back in 1972, 6-2, to start a nine-game winning streak to open the series. The Bucs' first win in the year came back in 1977 with CSU topping the Gamecocks, 2-1.

Overall, CSU has won six games in Columbia, S.C. with two coming in the last 10 matchups between the programs. The Bucs' most memorable win in the series came back in 2014 when CSU held the Gamecocks hitless into the sixth inning in the 4-1 win.

About South Carolina
South Carolina enters the midweek matchup with a 21-9 overall record, including an 8-4 mark in Southeastern Conference play. The Gamecocks are 15-2 inside Founders Park this year and boast series wins over Florida, Missouri, and Georgia over the last three weeks.

Brady Allen paces the Gamecocks' offense on the season with a .320 batting average with four South Carolina players boasting a .300-or-better average on the year. Allen has added nine home runs on the season and 27 RBI, while pacing the team with six stolen bases. Wes Clarke leads South Carolina with 15 home runs and 33 RBI, while hitting .302 from the plate.

Projected starter Jack Mahoney has made 11 appearances on the mound this season with two starts. He's gone 20 innings on the mound and has a 26:5 strikeout-to-walk ration on the year.

Coming Up On The Schedule
Charleston Southern dives into Big South play as CSU is scheduled to remain in conference competition throughout the remainder of the 2021 spring season with the exception of a midweek contest against South Carolina on April 13.

Next Five Series

• April 16-17 vs. USC Upstate
• April 20 vs. Winthrop
• April 23-24 at UNC Asheville
• April 30 – May 1 vs. Gardner-Webb
• May 7-8 vs. Winthrop