WILMINGTON, N.C. - College of Charleston baseball took game one of a big CAA series at UNCW 8-5, handing the Seahawks a first conference loss on the season. Jake Brink picked up the win, moving to 5-1 with 6.1 strong innings on the mound. After the Seahawks cut the Cougars lead late, Davis Aiken came on for his sixth save with a quick ninth inning. 

Charleston opened the scoring when Kevin Madden smacked his fourth homer of the year to make it 1-0 in the second. After the Seahawks tied it, the Cougars scored three runs in both the fourth and seventh inning to take a 7-1 advantage. 

A three-run homer by Tanner Thach cut the Cougars lead to 7-5 in the bottom of the seventh. Freshman pitcher Hayden Thomas then came on to shutdown the Seahawks through the eighth inning. Dariyan Pendergrass created a key insurance run in the top of the eighth, reaching on a bunt single before scoring from second on a throwing error by the UNCW catcher. 

Thomas started the ninth on the mound, walking the lead-off runner. Coach Holbrook then turned to Davis Aiken from the bullpen and the the right-hander picked up three straight outs to close out the win. 

Key Cougars

• Dariyan Pendergrass and Luke Wood both finished 2-for-4 with a run and RBI.
• Cole Mathis went 2-for-4 with a run scored. 
• Kevin Madden went 1-for-3 with a solo homer, walk and two runs. 
• Jake Brink moved to 5-1 on the year with 6.1 innings on the mound, allowing four earned runs from seven hits and two walks, finishing with three strikeouts. 
• Hayden Thomas and Davis Aiken combined for 2.1 innings of scoreless relief.  

Up Next 

Charleston and UNCW continue the series tomorrow at 4:00 p.m.