CHARLESTON, S.C. - Derek Smith hit two home runs and finished with three runs batted in to lead the Charleston Southern baseball team to an 8-4 victory over University of South Carolina Upstate Tuesday afternoon at CSU Ballpark.

The Spartans (7-6) were able to take the early lead after plating a run in the third inning. Walt Quattlebaum answered for the Buccaneers (5-7) in the home half of the frame after he was driven home by Jaren Sustar.

After two more runs were tacked on by USC Upstate in the fourth, Smith tied the game back up with a two-run blast in the bottom of the inning.

Nick Chinners drove home Sustar in the fifth, and Tom Burkett hit his second home run of the season in the sixth to give Charleston Southern a 5-3 advantage.

Matt Still and Smith hit back-to-back round-trippers in the seventh, and the two teams exchanged runs in the eighth as CSU put away the Spartans 8-4.

Stew Brase started on the mound for the Bucs and took a no decision following a two-hit, one run performance. He also recorded three strikeouts in three innings of work. Jesse Cadenhead (1-2) relieved Brase and pitched the final six innings, earning his first win of the season. He gave up three runs on six hits, while striking out four.

Smith led the way for the CSU batters, as he recorded a game-high three RBI and two runs scored. Still and Quattlebaum also plated two runs as the Buccaneers posted 12 hits.

The game was relatively clean, as both teams committed just one error apiece.

The Spartans recorded eight hits by eight different batters. Brody Greer, Austin Moyer, Joe Barnes and Tyler Cook drove in the runs that were scored by Greer, Trey Richardson, Moyer and Austin Liput.

Gaither Bumgardner (0-2) started for USC Upstate and allowed four runs on eight hits in 4.2 innings. He was able to strike out six before being relieved by Chris Knauff. Knauff allowed one run on one hit in 1.1 innings. Tyler Oliver threw the final two innings and allowed three runs (two earned) on three hits.

The Buccaneers have now won three of their last four games.

They will look to continue their recent hot stretch as they play host to Georgia Southern University at 2 p.m. March 10. Patrick Dolan will take the mound for CSU.