COLUMBIA, S.C. - Charleston Southern was unable to get the bats going on Tuesday night in their midweek matchup against No. 11 South Carolina as the Buccaneers fell to the Gamecocks at Founder Park, 9-0.
 
In just their second nonconference matchup in the 2021 spring season, the Bucs (10-14) were limited to four singles over the nine-inning contest as CSU stepped out of Big South play for the first time since opening weekend. MJ Sasapan, Tyrell Brewer, Christian Maggio, and Sam Trend-Beacom all put base hits in the column for CSU, while Reid Hardwick drew a walk to highlight CSU's offense on the day.
 
Jordan Bridges (1-1) suffered the loss in his first collegiate start. The junior right-hander went one inning allowing two hits and two runs in the outing to highlight eight CSU pitchers that saw time on the mound in the contest. Hunter McIntosh, Jack Dungan, John Sendziak, and Sam Hunt all hurled scoreless frames for the Bucs.
 
Josiah Sightler and David Mendham both connected on home runs to highlight the South Carolina (22-9) offense on the day as the Gamecocks put together eight runs over the first four innings in the win. Mendham connected on a two-run shot in the third, while Sightler's grand slam in the fourth gave SC starter Jack Mahoney (2-0) all the support he would need in the midweek win.
 
Mahoney went five innings allowing one hit and a walk while striking out seven in earning the victory on Tuesday. Jackson Phipps, Wesley Sweatt, Julian Bosnic, and Magdiel Cotto went the rest of the way in the combined shutout.

How They Scored

• Wes Clarke and Andrew Eyster brought home South Carolina's first two runs of the game in the bottom of the first as Clarke drove in a run on a fielder's choice, while Eyster's double brought in Clarke to give SC the early lead.
• Mendham connected on a two-run home run scoring Eyster in the bottom of the third inning to put the Gamecocks ahead 4-0.
• Sightler's grand slam in the bottom of the fourth inning doubled the Gamecocks' lead to 8-0.
• Brady Allen brought home the final run of the game with a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the fifth scoring Colin Burgess. 

Up Next
Charleston Southern returns home and jumps back into Big South play this weekend as the Buccaneers welcome USC Upstate to Nielsen Field at the CSU Ballpark for a three-game series on April 16-17. First pitch in Friday's opener is set for 6 p.m., while Saturday's doubleheader is set for 1 p.m. start time.