CHARLESTON, S.C. - Blake Hunt hit a home run and the Charleston Southern baseball team scored runs in four-straight innings, but Virginia Commonwealth University was able to hold on for a 7-5 victory at CSU Ballpark in the 2010 opener for both clubs.

VCU (1-0) took a 2-0 lead after the first inning, and the Rams pulled ahead 4-0 after Doug Otto hit his first of two home runs in the top of the third.

Brandon McKinney and Matt Still each scored in the home half of the inning to cut the lead to 4-2.

The Buccaneers were able to tack on runs in each of the next three innings, but Otto's two-run blast in the top of the fifth and an insurance run in the sixth would allow the Rams to stay ahead and earn the win.

Charleston Southern stranded runners in every inning and left 15 runners on base overall in the loss. Virginia Commonwealth left just five runners on base.

Brantley Meier, Tyler Thornburg, Patrick Dolan and Still all recorded two hits and combined for three runs and a run batted in. Derek Smith, Nick Chinners and Hunt all recorded an RBI, and McKinney also scored for CSU.

Hunt recorded his fifth-career home run.

Anthony Markham (0-1) took the mound for the Buccaneers and lasted 5.0 innings. He allowed six runs on seven hits, while striking out six and walking three. Andrew White, Tyler Vick and Corey Deighan all came on in relief duty. White lasted 2.0 innings and gave up one run on two hits, while striking out one and allowing one walk.

Vick and Deighan pitched the last two innings and didn't allow a run or a hit.

Otto led the way for the Rams with four RBI and two runs on his two homers. Gonzalez and Brent Mikionis both went 2-for-4 and combined for five runs. Matt Leskiw scored a run and Michael Cheatham recorded an RBI.

Seth Cutler-Voltz started for VCU and lasted 4.0 innings, allowing five hits and three runs (one earned). Kyle Haynes (1-0) relieved Cutler-Voltz and earned the win after allowing two hits and two runs (one earned) in 1.1 innings. Kyle Pelchy lasted 2.2 innings and did not allow a run, and Robbie Andrews earned the save after recording three strikeouts in the bottom of the ninth.

The second game of the series will be at 2 p.m. Feb. 20 at CSU Ballpark.

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