CHARLESTON, S.C. - A ninth inning rally by Charleston Southern fell just short to cross-town rival College of Charleston 10-9. This comeback was after the Bucs trailed by as many as eight runs. Having a career day for the College of Charleston in the win was Matt Leeds who had three home runs and six RBI on the day. Leading CSU was senior Walt Quattlebaum who went 3-for-5 with 3 RBI on the day. The loss drops the Buccaneers to an overall record of 19-17 (7-5 BSC) and improves the Cougar's record to 22-11 (7-5 SoCon).

Charleston Southern would allow three runs in the first, as well as five runs in the top of the third to fall behind at a score 8-0.

The Bucs would respond in the bottom of the Cougar's big five run inning in the third with a three run inning of their own. Nick Chinners would drive in a run on a fielder's choice to get the Bucs in the scoring column. Then the designated hitter Derek Smith would hit a two run homer over the left field wall. His line drive home run to left was his eighth of the season, and narrowed the deficit to 8-3 going into the fourth inning.

After early flurries of offense, both teams' bats cooled in the fourth and fifth innings, with only two hits for CSU and no runs crossing home plate for either team.

College of Charleston would add another run in the sixth, the Bucs would again respond with a three run inning of their own to further narrow the margin.

Jaren Sustar would start it off with a lead off single, then junior second basemen Walt Quattlebaum would hit a two run homer to bring the score to 9-5. A single from Brantley Meier later in the inning would score Matt Still from second to narrow the gap to 9-6 heading into the late innings.

In the top of the eighth, CofC standout Matt Leeds homered to give the Cougars a four run lead at 10-6.

After being held scoreless in the bottom half of the eighth, and the Bucs would return the favor in the top of the ninth.

The Bucs had the top of the order up to bat in the bottom of the ninth inning. Leadoff man Meier would reach base on fielding error. The next batter would pop out to concede the first out of the inning. After a quality at bat CSU first basemen Chinners was walked to put two men on base for CSU with one out. Smith was then hit by a pitch to load the bases, bringing up the tying run to the plate. Jaren Sustar then singled to left field, scoring Meier from third base. Quattlebuam would then single to left field, scoring Chinners from third bringing the Buccaneers to within one run of the Cougars after traling by as many as eight. Matt Still then grounded a ball to third and the Cougars would catch Sustar in a pickle between third and home. The Cougars would collect a deep fly ball from Alex Tomasovich to right field that would be the last out of the night.

Despite the close loss the Buccaneers out-hit the Cougars 12-9 on the day.

Charleston Southern will travel to Patriots Point tomorrow for the second leg of a home and home series with cross-town rival College of Charleston. First-pitch for that game is set for 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 13.