LEXINGTON, Va. - Charleston Southern (19-30, 10-10) scored in three of the first four innings and never looked back in defeating VMI (15-33, 7-16) 8-1 on Saturday evening at Gray-Minor Stadium.

The Buccaneers collected two hits in the first inning but it would be an error with two outs by Keydet shortstop Nick Dwyer that would allow John Faircloth to cross home plate. Faircloth had reached on a fielder's choice earlier in the inning.

CSU was back on the offensive attack in the top of the second, led by a one-out walk issued to Thomas Levander from VMI starter Campbell Henkel (1-5). Levander moved to second base on a passed ball and would score when catcher Drew Woodall banged a double off the wall in left center, giving the Bucs a 2-0 lead. Woodall would advance to third on a groundout from Bobby Ison. Keydet second baseman Drew Bryan would then lay out for a ball off the bat of John Faircloth but Faircloth would beat the throw for an RBI single that scored Woodall.

The Keydets would scratch in the bottom of the second when Dwyer hit a solo homerun to center field off Buccaneer starter Charlie McCready (4-4) to cut the deficit to 3-1.

Charleston Southern would add to that lead in their half of the fourth frame. Ison doubled to right center before Faircloth launched a two-run homerun onto the mountain beyond the left field wall that put the Bucs up 5-1.

Chase Shelton would add to the CSU lead with a two RBI single up the middle off Keydet reliever Adam Lopez that would score Ison and Woodall and make the score 7-1 in favor of Charleston Southern.

Henkel tossed 3 2/3 innings for VMI in the losing effort. He allowed five runs (four earned) on eight hits and one walk.

McCready picked up the win for the Bucs, going six innings and allowing just the one run (earned) on only two hits. He also struck out five and issued four walks.

Zach Hagaman picked up his second save of the season by throwing three scoreless innings of relief. He allowed just one hit, one walk and struck out one.

CSU was paced at the plate by Shelton and Ison who each went 3-for-5. Shelton collected two RBI while Ison scored two runs. Faircloth also played an integral part as he was 2-for-4 with three RBI and scored three times.

The same two teams will play the rubber match of the series tomorrow afternoon. Game time is scheduled for 1:00 p.m. at Gray-Minor Stadium.