CHARLESTON, S.C. - Locked in a tight battle through most of the game, back-to-back four-run innings pushed USC Upstate (12-1) past Charleston Southern (4-9) for the 8-1 win Wednesday afternoon at CSU Ballpark.

Kevin Buran for CSU and Ben Augenstein for USC Upstate were locked in a pitchers' duel to start the ball game. Buran went four shutout innings for the Bucs while Augenstein countered with 5.2 innings of scoreless ball for the Spartans on just 62 pitches.

Buran allowed seven hits and struck out two for the Bucs. He was relieved by Zach Hagaman who threw a scoreless fifth inning for CSU, striking out two of the three batters he faced.

Corey Deighan (1-1) would take the loss for Charleston Southern in the ball game. He went 2.1 innings, allowing four runs on six hits. He also struck out four Spartans.

The Spartans were able to finally break thru in the eight off Deighan when Trey Richardson was hit by a pitch with one out and was followed by a Tyler Cook single. Tyler Miller would follow that up by taking the first pitch he saw to left field for an RBI single, scoring Richardson. Austin Liput then singled thru the left side plating Cook. The big blow from the Spartans in the eighth came when Brody Greer doubled to left center scoring Liput and Miller.

Brennan Dorsett would relieve Deighan for the Bucs in the eighth but allowed four runs in just two-thirds of an inning on just one hit and one walk.

USC Upstate would cap off their scoring with a three run homerun from Miller that landed just to the right of the scoreboard.

Matt Witt pitched a clean ninth for Charleston Southern, retiring the Spartans in order.

Offensively the Bucs collected six hits on the afternoon, including a pinch-hit ground rule double by Blake Hunt in the ninth. Pinch runner Ben Qualkinbush then scored on an RBI single by Shane Miles to get the Bucs on the board.

Freshman Bobby Ison extended his hitting streak to 13 games when he singled to left field to lead off the sixth inning.

Charleston Southern will return to the diamond this weekend for a three game series with Rider University out of New Jersey. Game times are Friday and Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and Sunday at 1:30 p.m.