POSTGAME INTERVIEW WITH MONTE LEE
MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – Charleston Southern pinch-runner Ben Qualkinbush scored on a throwing error in the top of the ninth inning to break a 3-3 tie and give the visiting Buccaneers a 4-3 victory over the College of Charleston Wednesday evening at Patriots Point. The loss is the first for the Cougars against CSU since Feb. 20, 2007, a span of 14 straight wins, and drops Charleston to 22-12 on the season.
With sophomore RHP Christian Powell (Greenwood, S.C.) on the mound in the ninth in relief, CSU's Brian Welch drew a full-count walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Brandon McKinney. Qualkinbush came in to pinch-run and after a base on balls to Brantley Meier, redshirt-freshman C Jimmy Holton (West Palm Beach, Fla.) attempted to pick off Qualkinbush at second and the throw went into center field, allowing the runner to come home for the go-ahead run.
The Cougars took an early 1-0 lead in the game on a solo home run by senior C Robert Pritcher (Charleston, S.C.) to lead off the third inning. CSU knotted the score in the fourth, scoring on a RBI sacrifice fly by Walt Quattlebaum. Charleston reclaimed the lead with a pair of runs in the sixth to take a 3-1 lead. A single by redshirt-junior LF Jose Rodriguez (Hialeah, Fla.) was followed by a pair of base on balls to redshirt-freshman LF Daniel Aldrich (Mt. Pleasant, S.C.) and junior 2B Rob Harding (Columbia, S.C.). A RBI fielder's choice by senior SS Jamie Holler (Rock Hill, S.C.) plated the first run and after a walk to Pritcher, a bases-loaded walk to junior 1B Marty Gantt (N. Augusta, S.C.) pushed ahead the second run of the frame.
The Bucs knotted the score at 3-3 with two runs in the top of the eighth, scoring on RBI singles by Nick Chinners and Jaren Sustar.
Senior RHP Robert Jeroszko (Greenville, S.C.) tossed eight solid innings for the Cougars, allowing three runs on 10 hits with one strikeout. Powell took the hard-luck loss to fall to 4-1 on the season. Gantt paced the Cougars' offense with three hits, all singles.
Ali Williams earned the win in relief for CSU, scattering three hits over 1-2/3 shutout innings with three strikeouts. Patrick McCready tossed a perfect ninth for his third save of the season.
The Cougars return to Southern Conference action on the road this weekend as they travel to face Elon. Friday's first pitch is scheduled for 6:30 p.m.
