MT. PLEASANT, S.C. – College of Charleston baseball ran its winning streak to six games with a 5-2 win over Charlotte on Tuesday night at Patriots Point.
The Cougars (7-1) used yet another solid performance from the CofC bullpen to hold Charlotte (2-3) to just two runs despite giving up nine hits. The 49ers stranded seven runners and left two runners on third with less than two outs.
College of Charleston's Hayden McCutcheon (1-0) picked up the win in his first career start, going four innings on a predetermined pitch count. He struck out five batters and only walked one, while giving up one run on four hits. Tyler Thornton and Chase Henry limited Charlotte to just one run through the eighth inning, while Michael Hanzlik (3) pitched a perfect ninth to tally his third save.
Charlotte's Corbin Shive (0-1) was tagged with the loss in his first start of the season, despite giving up just one earned run.
The 49er defense committed three errors, including two costly ones in the third inning that led to four CofC runs and proved to decide the game.
With two outs and a runner on, Gunnar Heidt popped a ball up in the infield that was dropped by Charlotte shortstop Matt Creech and extended the inning. Creech then missed a throw in a rundown that allowed Alex Pastorius to score. After a walk and wild pitch allowed Brandon Murray to advance to second, Carl Wise doubled to left field to score two more runs. Ben Boykin then followed that up with an RBI single to give CofC a 5-1 lead.
Pastorius finished with two hits and a run, while Murray and Wise combined for two doubles, three walks, two runs and three RBIs. Boykin finished with two hits and an RBI, extending his hitting streak to a team-high six games. Blake Butler notched a hit and run scored in the first inning to reach base in every game in 2014.
T.J. Nichting led Charlotte with three hits, including a triple, and a run. Zach Jarrett and Brad Elwood each drove in a run.
College of Charleston will play host to Marist this weekend in a three-game set, as the Cougars look to extend their winning streak. Friday's game begins at 6 p.m.
POSTGAME NOTES
Prior to the game, ESPN.com released its updated College Baseball Power Rankings, putting College of Charleston at No. 18 in the nation.
With nine strikeouts tallied against Charlotte, CofC's pitching staff has now averaged 7.3 strikeouts per game.
Carl Wise has tallied a team-high 11 RBIs after his two-RBI day on Tuesday. He has notched multiple RBIs in four games this season.
