CHARLESTON – An offensive outpouring was on full display at Nielsen Field @ CSU Ballpark on Saturday against Winthrop. The final score for the contest proved to be 16-14 with the Buccaneers smashing five home runs throughout the day and scoring twice in the bottom of the eighth to break the tie.
Winthrop was able to get ahead early, putting up a four spot in the top of the first. The Eagles had each of their first four baserunners reach with the third batter of the day sending a ball over the wall in right center for the first three runs of the day. A solo home run later in the inning pushed their advantage to 4-0.
Charleston Southern quickly began to chip into their deficit beginning in the bottom of the second. They had back-to-back solo home runs with each to right field by
Kaden Smith and
Aidan McAskie to begin it. Later in the frame,
Blake Edgmon had a single to the shortstop that scored
Nathan Martinez, cutting it to 4-3.
In the third, the Buccaneers claimed the lead with McAskie's second home run of the day, also to right field, but this time scoring three runs. This swing also brought
Chandler Tuupo and
AJ Martin home. After a groundout,
Lucas Pringle joined in on the fun, clubbing a ball over the right field fence as well, pushing the CSU advantage to 7-4.
The lead was short lived as the Eagles went on to tally six runs, claiming the lead back at 10-7. In the bottom of the inning, the Bucs had Tuupo get an RBI single, Smith a two RBI single and an RBI groundout by Pringle, put CSU back ahead at 11-10.
In the fifth, Smith fouled out to the first baseman, but sent it deep enough to score
Kain Collins from third. The Eagles got one back with a sacrifice fly to put their deficit at 12-11. In the seventh, Tuupo sent a ball over the left field fence, for the squad's fifth home run of the day, bringing himself and Collins home to push the score to 14-11.
Winthrop was able to put together a three-spot in the top of the eighth, tying the game at 14 apiece. A pair of singles and a wild pitch was what led to the runs to cross the plate.
The game did not stay tied for long as Charleston Southern immediately answered.
Blake Edgmon had a single to left field with an out on the board and moved up to second on a Collins single through the left side. Tuupo then came up to the plate with two outs on the board and the game still tied and belted a ball to the right fielder.
Ryan DuSang went in for the final inning and retired the Winthrop batters in order for the save while picking up a pair of strikeouts.
As a team, Charleston Southern finished with 18 hits, tying their season-high. Collins, Tuupo and Smith each had three hits on the day while McAskie, Rice and Edgmon added two apiece. Smith and McAskie led the team with four RBIs apiece.
The Buccaneers used six different pitchers in the game.
Nick Timpanelli had the starting nod, tossing the first two innings of the game.
Camden Chalfant came out in relief of him.
Christian Krause threw 2.0 and allowed an earned run with
Parks Ledwell next out, tossing 1.0.
Kyle Lewis was tasked with the seventh and eighth innings with DuSang on the mound to close out the game and seal the victory.
Charleston Southern finishes the weekend against Winthrop on Sunday, March 30 at 1:00 p.m. from Nielsen Field @ CSU Ballpark. The Buccaneers will be looking to pick up their first conference weekend sweep in the finale.
