CHARLESTON, S.C. - CSU improved to 5-2 at home and 6-4 overall, pounding the Siena Saints 14-8 before grinding out a close 5-4 in a doubleheader on Saturday at CSU Ballpark in Charleston, S.C. Derek Smith led the way with two homeruns and 7 RBI, while Stew Brase and Corey Deighan both picked up their first wins of the season with strong performances on the mound.

In the Bucs' first game of today's doubleheader against Siena College, Charleston Southern rode a huge inning in the sixth in which they scored 10 runs to a 14-8 in a comeback victory over the Saints of Siena. The Buccaneers got the victory after trailing by as many as five runs.

CSU got offensive production from their entire starting lineup, with each player recording at least one hit, with six of those players getting multiple hits on the afternoon. Leading the way for Charleston Southern was Matt Still who went 3-for-4 on the afternoon with three RBI, including a solo home run. Also with three RBI was designated hitter Derek Smith, who hit a three run homer in the sixth inning.

Getting his first win of the season was Charleston Southern senior right hander Brase who pitched 6.0 innings and allowed eight hits and three earned runs.

Charleston Southern would give up a run in the first inning, and added three more runs in the second. The Saints would add another run in the top of the fourth to make their lead 5-0.

The Bucs would get on the board in the fourth when left fielder Matt Still hit a 2 RBI double that would score both Nick Chinners and Jared Sustar. That would narrow the deficit to three runs at a score of 5-2.

CSU would add another run in the bottom of the fifth, when Chinners would single to bring in Cody Austin from third base bringing the score to 5-3.

The sixth inning started off well for the Bucs with a leadoff homer from left fielder Matt Still. Still's first homer of the season would be a sign of things to come for the Bucs. The floodgates would open for in the sixth the Bucs would get a total of nine hits scoring an ten runs in one inning alone. Three different Buccaneers would hit home runs in that inning. Tom Burkett and Derek Smith would both go yard, Smith's being a three-run homer.

Charleston Southern would again get a nice performance out of their bullpen. Tyler Vick came in relief of Ali Williams in the 8th. Vick had his breaking ball working this afternoon. He would strike out six straight batters, retiring the side in both the top of the eighth and ninth innings in a non-save situation.

In the second game, Meier singled to the short stop then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Jaren Sustar. Smith then hit a two-run homer, his second home run of the doubleheader, to put the Bucs up 2-0 in the bottom of the third inning.

The Saints battled back in the fourth, with Kyle Baldani reaching first on a fielder's choice before advancing to second when Vincent Citro was walked. Mike Allen was also walked, advancing both Baldani and Citro. Ken Krishner walked to bring Baldani home, making the score 2-1 before Citro scored on a sac fly by Bell to tie things up at 2-2 in the top of the fourth.

Meier again got on base with a walk in the bottom of the seventh, advancing on a sac bunt by Sustar again and made it to third on a single by Chinners. Meier then scored on a sac fly by Smith, putting the Bucs ahead 3-2. Chinners stole second and was able to advance to third, then score on a throwing error by the Saints to put CSU up 4-2.

Kevin Quaranto singled to left center to kick off the eighth inning for the Saints. Baldani also singled, advancing Quaranto to second. A sac bunt by Citro advanced moved Baldani to second and Quaranto to third before William Cardona sent both Quaranto and Baldani home with a single to left center to tie the game at 4-4 at the top of the eight.

Much like the seventh inning, it was again Meier who reached base first for the Bucs on a walk in the bottom of the ninth. A sac bunt by Sustar brought Meier to second before Chinners singled up the middle to bring him to third. Smith then singled to the shortstop to drive in the winning run as Meier crossed the plate to give CSU the 5-4 victory.

Meier went 1-for-2 with three runs for the Bucs, while Smith was 3-for-4 with four RBI. Deighan picked up the win on the mound, giving up no hits and striking out two in 1.2 innings.

Baldani went 1-for-4 with two runs while Quaranto was 1-for-3 with a run as well. Justin Brantley gave up six hits and two runs in 6.0 innings, but it was C.J. Sohl who took the loss. Sohl gave up three hits and three runs in 2.1 innings.

The Bucs and the Saints will meet again tomorrow at 1 p.m. at CSU Ballpark.

Coach Lake Postgame Interview