Charleston Cougars Move Into CAA Championship Game After Defeating Delaware Blue Hens

Wilmington, N.C. – May 26, 2024

The College of Charleston Cougars have advanced to the CAA Championship Game after a dominant performance against the Delaware Blue Hens. In an elimination game on Sunday morning, the Cougars secured an 11-1 victory, setting up a showdown with the No. 2 seed UNCW later in the day. The top-seeded Cougars will need to defeat UNCW twice in order to claim the CAA Tournament title and earn an automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals.

Luke Wood Shines with Two Home Runs

Luke Wood was the star of the game for the Cougars, delivering two home runs and driving in five runs in his first two at-bats. Wood’s offensive outburst helped Charleston build a commanding 7-1 lead early in the game. His performance marked the seventh time this season that a Charleston batter has hit multiple home runs in a game. Wood’s three-run shot in the third inning proved to be the turning point as the Cougars pulled away from the Blue Hens.

Aidan Hunter Leads the Pitching Staff

On the mound, Aidan Hunter turned in a stellar performance, scattering six hits over seven innings while matching his season-high with seven strikeouts. Despite giving up a solo home run in the third inning, Hunter kept the potent Blue Hen offense in check for the majority of the game. Emmett Bice provided solid relief pitching, striking out two batters in two innings of work.

Offensive Firepower

Charleston’s offense was firing on all cylinders, racking up 15 hits in the game. Trotter Harlan and Avery Neaves led the charge, with Harlan going 4-for-4 at the plate and Neaves contributing three hits, including two doubles. Harlan drove in two runs, reaching the 50 RBI mark for the second consecutive year. Cole Singsank retook the team RBI lead with 58 after his two-run single in the seventh inning.

Looking Ahead

The Cougars will now turn their attention to the championship game against UNCW, with the first matchup scheduled for 12:30 PM. If Charleston can emerge victorious in the first game, they will have a chance to force an “if necessary” contest with a second game against the Seahawks. The Cougars will be seeking to add the CAA Tournament title to their regular season championship and punch their ticket to the NCAA Regionals.

With the momentum from their impressive win over Delaware, the Cougars will be looking to carry that energy into their matchup with UNCW. A championship title and an automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals are on the line, making for an exciting and high-stakes showdown between the top two seeds in the CAA Tournament.

Key Highlights:

• Luke Wood’s two home runs and five RBIs sparked the Cougars’ offensive explosion.
• Aidan Hunter’s strong pitching performance stifled the Blue Hens’ offense and set the tone for Charleston.
• Trotter Harlan and Avery Neaves led the offensive charge with multiple hits and key RBI contributions.
• The Cougars will face UNCW in the CAA Championship Game with a chance to secure an automatic bid to the NCAA Regionals.