MT. PLEASANT, S.C. - Sophomore Ben Qualkinbush took advantage of a miscue in the top of the ninth inning to score the game-winning run and lead the CSU Buccaneers to a 4-3 comeback win over cross-town rival the College of Charleston on Wednesday Night at Patriots Point in Mount Pleasant, S.C.

One day after falling a run short of the win, the Buccaneers (20-17, 7-5) picked up their first win over the Cougars since 2007. CSU downed COFC 17-9 on February 20 of that season.

Nick Chinners was 3-for-4 with both a run and an RBI. Fellow captain Tom Burkett was 2-for-5 and also had a run.

Levi Mauldin got the start, giving up five hits and three runs in 5.2 innings while striking out two. Ali Williams picked up his first career win, giving up three hits but holding the Cougars scoreless in 1.2 innings. The CSU pitching staff gave up a total of eight hits to the Cougars.

Marty Gantt was 3-for-4 with and RBI for the Cougars, while Robert Pritcher was 2-for-3 with both a run and an RBI. Jose Rodriguez was 2-for-5 with a run as well. Christian Powell took the loss, giving up an unearned run that turned out to be the game-winner in the lone inning he pitched. Starter Robert Jeroszko gave up 10 hits and three runs in 8.0 innings.

The Cougars got on the board in the third inning, taking a 1-0 lead on a solo homer by Pritcher. However, Mauldin was able to keep them off the board for two more innings.

CSU countered in the top of the fourth, tying the game at 1-1. Chinners singled to second base, and advanced on a walk by Derek Smith. He made it to third when Jaren Sustar reached on a fielder's choice before Walt Quattlebaum drove him home with a sac fly.

COFC broke the tie in the bottom of the sixth inning. Holler made it to first on a fielder's choice, allowing Rodriguez to make it home and put the Cougars up 2-1. Aldrich followed him home soon after when Gantt was walked with the bases loaded to make it 3-1.

Meier made it home in the top of the eighth, scoring on a single by Chinners to cut the deficit to 3-2. Jaren Sustar singled to left field in the next at bat, driving home Tom Burkett to tie things up at 3-3.

In the top of the ninth inning Brian Welch walked was replaced on base Ben Qualkinbush. Meier was also walked, and the Cougar's catcher overthrew to throw to second, allowing Qualkinbush to make it home for the game-winning run.

Charlie McCready, who continues to lead the nation in ERA at 0.24, held the Cougars hitless in the bottom of the ninth to preserve the win for his third save of the season.

The Buccaneers will host Big South foe VMI in a three-game home stand this weekend at CSU Ballpark. The first game of the series is set for Friday at 2 p.m.

Coach Lake's Postgame Interview