CHARLESTON – The Buccaneers were able to walk off the Runnin' Bulldogs in the weekend's rubber match on Sunday by a final score of 8-7. After falling behind by five, taking their first lead in the 8^th, surrendering it back in the 9^th, going to extras and BJ Banyon delivered a winning hit in dramatic fashion.
 
Gardner-Webb broke the game open in the third inning as neither team was able to get on the board in the first two innings. The Runnin' Bulldogs scored five runs in the frame with them coming off a pair of doubles and then a two-run home run by Mark Black to left field pushed their lead to 5-0.
 
Charleston Southern got a run back in the bottom half of the inning as BJ Banyon had a triple to right field that scored JJ Rivera. Gardner-Webb quickly answered with a runback in the top of the 4^th to put the score at 6-1.
 
In the fifth, the Buccaneers were able to tally three runs and draw closer in the game. Charleston Southern got three consecutive singles in the frame and had Banyon and Chandler Tuupo each record an RBI hit while the third run was scored on a wild pitch. At the end of the 5^th, CSU trailed 6-4.
 
In the 7^th, Tuupo had a two-run home run to right field to tie up the game and Dakota Miller put the Bucs ahead in the 8^th off a solo homer to left field. Heading to the 9^th, CSU had their first lead of the afternoon at 7-6.
 
In the top of the 9^th, the Runnin' Bulldogs did not lay down as they were able to bring it back even with another timely hit from Mark Black. This time being a double down the left field line that scored the runner from first.
 
The game ended up heading to extras and Buccaneers were able to get the victory in the 10^th inning. JJ Rivera had a double with an out on the board and Sam Low was able to draw a walk after being a defensive replacement earlier in the game. Conway grounded out to the second baseman, but each of the runners moved up a base. Banyon then delivered a slow, high hopping hit to the left of first that the second baseman was unable to field cleanly due to the speed of Banyon that scored Rivera and gave Charleston Southern the victory.
 
Matt Gallant had the start and threw 2.1 innings and allowed a pair of earned runs. Dylan Matsuoka finished off the third throwing 0.2 frames with a pair of earned runs. Parks Ledwell then threw for the next three innings, allowing no earned runs and Evan Truitt went 3.0 innings with an earned run. Devin MacWatters finished off the game throwing a scoreless 10^th inning.
 
The Buccaneers finished with 12 hits on the day and Banyon led the team with four hits in the game. Tuupo and Miller each finished with two hits on the day while four Bucs added one hit apiece. Banyon and Tuupo collected three RBIs and Miller had one.
 
Charleston Southern returns to the field for the final game of the season series against College of Charleston on Tuesday, April 16. The first pitch for the game is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. at Patriots Point. The season series is currently knotted up at one apiece with each team winning on the road.