GREENVILLE, S.C. - Ali Williams struck out six, but it was Kyle Ward who picked up his first career win as the Buccaneers downed the Furman Paladins 14-4 on Wednesday evening at Latham Stadium in Greenville, S.C.

For the second night in a row, it was five-run inning that changed the game. However, this time it went in favor of the Bucs (15-12), who knocked in five runs in the fifth inning to overcome an early 1-0 deficit.

Williams got the start, giving up four earned runs off of five hits in 4.2 innings. Ward, who made five appearances last season but did not earn a decision, struck out three and held the Paladins (13-15) scoreless to pick up his first career decision in 2.1 innings. Freshman Levi Mauldin also saw action, holding Furman hitless in 2.0 innings.

Walt Quattlebaum was 3-for-5 with two runs and three RBI. Brantley Meier was also 3-for-5 and had one RBI and a run. Alex Tomasovich also had three hits on the night, driving in a run, while Cody Austin had three runs and two hits. The Bucs totaled 14 hits on the night.

The Paladins' Nate Smith took the loss, giving up five runs and seven hits while striking out three in 4.1 innings. Alex Abrams was 2-for-4 with two RBI, while Reese Wade went 1-for-3 and drove in two runs. Hunter Burton had two runs as well.

Furman struck first, taking a 1-0 lead when Burton scored on a single by Abrams in the first inning. However, neither team would cross home plate for the next three innings

The CSU bats got hot in the fifth inning. Tom Burkett singled to leftfield to drive home Austin and Meier, giving the Bucs their first two runs of the night as well as a 2-1 lead. Derek Smith doubled down the leftfield line to score Burkett, putting the score at 3-1. Sustar singled to send Smith home before scoring himself on a single by Quattlebaum to give the Bucs the 5-1 advantage.

Furman came close, but couldn't quite complete the comeback in the bottom half of the inning. Burton and Will Muzika scored when Wade doubled down the leftfield line, bringing the Paladins within two at 5-3. Abrams then singled to left center, scoring Wade and putting the score at 5-4.

The Bucs padded the lead in the top of the sixth, with Tomasovich singling to drive home Austin and put the Bucs up 6-4. They were back at it an inning later, with Blake Hunt singling to centerfield to score Quattlebaum and put the Bucs up 7-4. Meier singled to drive home Matt Still, giving CSU the 8-4 lead.

An eighth-inning double from Quattlebaum allowed both Tomasovich and Smith to cross home plate and put the score at 10-4 in favor of the Bucs. Sustar was then able to score on a wild pitch before Quattlebaum made it home himself to put the Bucs ahead 12-4. Austin added another run on a Furman error as CSU took a nine-run lead into the bottom of the inning.

The CSU pitching staff held the Paladins scoreless, but the Buccaneer bats kept going. Tomasovich doubled to left field and then scored on a double-play to put the final score at 14-4 in favor of the Bucs.

The Buccaneers will resume conference play this weekend when they host Big South foe UNC Asheville. CSU will welcome the Bulldogs to CSU Ballpark for a three-game series that will kick off with a 2 p.m. contest on Friday.