ASHEVILLE, N.C. – UNC Asheville scored six runs in the first three innings to hand Charleston Southern its first Big South loss of the season, 9-4, on Monday afternoon at Greenwood Field.

CSU falls to 10-7 with the loss and 2-1 in Big South play, while Asheville is now 9-10 and 1-2. 

The Bulldogs jumped on CSU starter Denis Buckley (L, 0-1) for six early runs. Buckley walked the first two batters of the game and gave up four hits. CSU reliever Kyle McDorman worked 4.2 scoreless innings of relief to give the Buccaneers a chance late, but three runs by Asheville in the ninth put the game out of reach. 

Asheville's Lucas Owens hit a two-run home run in the second inning and starter Joe Zayatz (W, 1-4) held the Bucs to two earned runs over seven innings. 

CSU's Nate Blanchard was 2-for-5 with two doubles and scored twice. Ryan Maxsim hit the ball hard in all three of his plate appearances, finishing with two hits. 

The Bucs loaded the bases in the ninth with no outs, but could not get a rally started, scoring only on an RBI groundout by Brandon Burris. 

Owens and leadooff man Tommy Houmard both had two hits and scored three times for Asheville. 

CSU faces Lafayette tomorrow at 6 p.m. at CSU Ballpark. 

-CSU-