CHARLESTON, S.C. - A dominant outing from Tyler Thornburg and clutch hitting from Scotty Radabaugh powered Charleston Southern to a 5-2 victory over the Rams of Virginia Commonwealth, Sunday afternoon at CSU Ballpark. The victory is the first of the season for the Buccaneers (1-2), while VCU (2-1) is denied a series sweep with the loss.

In his first start of the season, Thornburg (1-0) tossed six innings, allowing just two runs on three hits. The junior tied a career high with ten strikeouts and walked just two Rams. Michael Graham (0-1) took the loss after allowing four runs in two innings of work.

CSU struck first in the 2nd inning. With the bases loaded and one out, Radabaugh delivered a two-run single through the right side of the infield, putting the Buccaneers on top, 2-0. The Bucs struck again when Tom Burkett came home after a Graham balk, and they added their final run of the frame when Brantley Meier singled Radabaugh home, making the tally 4-0.

VCU got on the scoreboard in the 3rd, when Troy Perkins led off the inning with a solo home run to left field, his first of the season, making the score 4-1. The Rams cut into the lead even further when Joe Van Meter came through with an RBI double in the 6th, making the score 4-2.

The Bucs scored the final run of the game in the bottom of the 6th, when Will Bedenbaugh, making his first career start, clubbed a one-out home run off the scoreboard in left field.

The Bucs were never challenged again, as reliever Stew Brase pitched the final three innings of the game without allowing a run en route to his first career save. Brase allowed just one hit while striking out four.

Charleston Southern is back in action Tuesday when they host Furman at 2:00 p.m. VCU tangles with Fairfield on Friday at 3 p.m. in their 2010 home opener.

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