Charleston, South Carolina – Cougs Complete Opening Sweep of Marshall
Charleston’s baseball team took on Marshall on Monday afternoon in the final game of their opening four-game series, and they came out on top with an 8-5 victory. After falling behind early, Charleston established a 4-1 lead in the fourth inning, only to see Marshall storm back to tie the game at five in the top of the sixth inning. The Cougars responded with key hits and solid pitching to secure the win.
Tight Pitching Battle Leads to Scoreless Start
The game remained scoreless through the first three innings as both starting pitchers worked hard to get out of tight situations and keep the game level. Charleston’s Andrew Duval pitched four innings, allowing one run on three hits and three walks while striking out two batters. Meanwhile, Marshall’s starter Chad Heiner struggled in the fourth inning, allowing Charleston to load the bases and tie the game.
Charleston’s Offense Comes Alive
Charleston took advantage of Marshall’s pitching change as Eddie Leon came on and gave up an RBI single to Tyler Sorrentino in the fourth inning. The Cougars added more runs through fielder’s choices to push the lead to 4-1. However, Marshall fought back in the sixth inning to tie the game with a string of hits and a walk.
Not to be outdone, Charleston responded in the bottom half of the sixth with an RBI double from Cole Mathis to re-take the lead. The Cougars extended their lead in the seventh and eighth innings with key hits and smart baserunning. Dylan Johnson’s pinch-hit double in the seventh inning helped extend the lead to 7-5.
Strong Finish Secures Sweep
Charleston’s defense held strong in the final innings, and Davis Aiken came on in the ninth to earn his second save of the season. Aiken pitched a clean ninth inning to seal the victory for Charleston and complete the sweep of Marshall.
Key Players Shine for Charleston
Kevin Madden had a stellar performance, going 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored. Will Baumhofer drew four walks and scored two runs, while Luke Wood contributed with a 2-for-4 performance, including a walk, an RBI, and two runs.
Upcoming Schedule
Charleston’s next game is slated for Friday as they open a three-game series against Youngstown State. The Cougars will look to carry their momentum from the sweep of Marshall into the upcoming matchups.
Overall, Charleston’s strong performance in the opening series sets a positive tone for the rest of the season. With solid pitching, timely hitting, and solid defense, the Cougars will look to build on their early success as they continue their campaign.
