Mathis Leads Offensive Onslaught in Series Tying Victory – College of Charleston Athletics
BUIES CREEK, N.C. – Cole Mathis set career highs with five hits, including two home runs, and seven RBI to lead College of Charleston to a 17-2 victory over Campbell, evening the CAA series at a game apiece.
Charleston (30-11, 13-4 CAA) reached the 30-win mark for the 20th time in the past 22 full seasons and moved back into a tie for the conference lead with UNCW, which lost at William & Mary on Saturday. The Cougars have won 16 of their last 18 overall and 12 of their past 14 in CAA play. The teams play the rubber game of the series Sunday at 2 p.m.
Cole Mathis Shines
Mathis singled his first three times up before launching a majestic three-run homer in the fifth and adding a two-run shot in the eighth to give him the team lead with 11 on the year. He has reached base in 10 of his 12 plate appearances in the series, including eight hits and two walks. The junior first baseman had his second two-homer game in the past two weeks and came within two of the school record of nine RBI set by Brandon Murray in 2013.
Offensive Explosion
The Cougars pounded out a season-high 19 hits with Will Baumhofer extending his hitting streak to eight with three singles and a two-run double. Cole Singsank and Luke Wood added three hits, and Avery Neaves reached base five times and scored five runs. Baumhofer also swiped a pair of bases and is a perfect 14-for-14 on the year.
Strong Pitching Performance
Aidan Hunter was the beneficiary of the offensive explosion, improving to 5-0 in conference starts and 6-1 overall. He allowed six hits and both Camel runs while striking out six in five innings. Alex Lyon worked four innings of one-hit ball to pick up his third save.
Upcoming Game
The teams will play the rubber game of the series on Sunday at 2 p.m., with Charleston looking to secure the series win after a dominant performance in the second game of the series.
Statistics
Charleston Batting: 2B: Baumhofer, Will 1; HR: Mathis, Cole 2; RBI: Mathis, Cole 7; Singsank, Cole 2; Harlan, Trotter 1; Wood, Luke 2; Baumhofer, Will 2; Johnson, Dylan 1; SF: Singsank, Cole 1; BASERUNNING: RUNS: Neaves, Avery 5; Mathis, Cole 2; Gibbs, Brent 1; Harlan, Trotter 2; Wood, Luke 2; Baumhofer, Will 1; Johnson, Dylan 3; Sorrentino, Tyler 1; SB: Wood, Luke 1; Baumhofer, Will 2; HBP: Singsank, Cole 1; Wood, Luke 1.
Campbell Batting: HR: KNIPP, Grant 1; RBI: KNIPP, Grant 2; SH: SCHULDT, Andrew 1; BASERUNNING: RUNS: KNIPP, Grant 1; RILEY, Chandler 1; SB: THOMPSON, Dalen 1; CS: THOMPSON, Dalen 1; PO: THOMPSON, Dalen 1.
Game Leaders
Hitting: Mathis, Cole with 5 hits, 7 RBI; Baumhofer, Will with 4 hits, 2 RBI; Singsank, Cole with 3 hits, 2 RBI; Wood, Luke with 3 hits, 2 RBI.
Pitching: Hunter, Aidan with 6 strikeouts; Lyon, Alex with 1 strikeout.
Fielding: Mathis, Cole with 10 putouts; Johnson, Dylan with 6 putouts; Harlan, Trotter with 3 putouts.
Conclusion
With Mathis leading the way and the offense firing on all cylinders, College of Charleston secured an impressive victory to tie the series against Campbell. The team will look to carry this momentum into the rubber game and continue their winning ways as they push for the conference lead.