RADFORD, VA. – Charleston Southern completed the weekend sweep over Radford on Saturday evening, taking both games in the doubleheader. The Bucs claimed the first by a 9-5 scoreline and took the other at 12-5.
 
The Buccaneers now stand at 5-7 in league play and pick up their first Big South weekend sweep of the season. They have won five of their past six league contests, taking two of three from Winthrop last weekend.
 
In game one, Radford scored their first on a BALK in the second, but the lead did not last for long as Chandler Tuupo had a single to right center to score Blake Edgmon and bring the game level. The Highlanders responded again with a two run bottom of the third, taking the lead at 3-1.
 
In the top of the fourth, Edgmon had a two RBI single to center field, drawing the game level one again. Radford went on to claim the edge once again with a two run fifth inning to push ahead at 5-3.
 
After this, the Buccaneers were able to string together later offense to tie the game and then take the lead. In the eighth, Lew Rice had a single to score one and on a Mason Reising pinch hitting at bat, he had a double to left center to bring Rice home and tie it at five apiece. In the ninth, Aidan McAskie had a three-run home run to take the lead and then Lucas Pringle had a solo home run, putting the score at 9-5 and cap off the comeback.
 
In game two, Charleston Southern took the early lead, tallying four in the top of the first. They got the opening score off a wild pitch, bringing Kain Collins home. Nathan Martinez then had a bases loaded single up the middle to score a pair. Gavin Bogdanchik had an RBI groundout to bring McAskie home and cap off the inning.
 
Radford was able to respond as well, scoring three of their own with each being brought home on a walk when the bases were loaded.
 
In the second, Collins was able to score yet again during a defensive miscue as he got home on a failed pickoff by the pitcher. This put the lead at 5-3. Radford got one back in the bottom of the third on a single though the right side to get back within a run.
 
In the fourth, the Buccaneer offense came to life, tallying five runs as six consecutive batters reached base safely. Kaden Smith got the action started with a single through the left side which was followed by a Chandler Tuupo double to score one. AJ Martin brought both home on a single up the middle. The final one was scored by AJ Martin. At the end of the inning, Charleston Southern now led 10-4.
 
Radford had a solo home run in the seventh inning and Smith had a two RBI single through the left side to put the game back out of hand with the final score at 12-5.
 
In total, Charleston Southern used nine pitchers during the game. Nick Timpanelli had the start in the first game and had to exit due to an injury after throwing the first 1.2 innings. Hayden Henry picked up the victory tossing 2.2 shutout innings allowing just two hits. Ryan DuSang threw the final inning and retired the Highlanders in order.
 
In the second game, Brad Grindlinger received the starting nod. Joel Rodriguez went on in relief of him, hurling 2.2 frames of one run baseball which was followed by Tait Robertson. He went in for 5.0 innings and allowed just one earned run. Kyle Lewis went in for the final inning and recorded a pair of strikeouts.
 
At the plate, Edgmon led them in the first game with three hits and McAskie, Martinez and Rice each have multiple hits as well with two. McAskie led them in RBIs with three in the contest with Edgmon also with multiple with two. In total, they had 19 base runners reach with 14 hits and five walks.
 
For the second game at the plate, there were four Bucs with multiple hits as Collins, Smith, Martin and Rice all had two. Collins reached base in four of five chances as he was one of two Bucs (McAskie) to draw two walks. Smith led the team in RBIs with three while Martin and Martinez both had two.
 
Charleston Southern will now return home to face College of Charleston in the second of two games this year against the Cougars. The first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. at Nielsen Field @ CSU Ballpark with the game to be available live on ESPN+.