ROCK HILL, S.C. - The Charleston Southern Buccaneers jumped out to an early three-run lead but Winthrop rallied for eight unanswered runs to grab an 8-3 win in Friday night's Big South series opener at The Winthrop Ballpark.

The Bucs fall to 17-26 with the loss and 7-9 in Big South play, while Winthrop improves to 16-30 and 4-12 in league play. The two teams play again tomorrow at 4 p.m. Saturday's action has become a doubleheader due to rain in the forecast on Sunday.

Winthrop's Matt Pierpont (WP, 4-4) settled down after the Bucs scored three early runs to work eight innings, allowing eight hits, while striking out six. Third baseman Chad Smith carried the Eagles offense, going 4-for-5 with two RBIs.

Smith's big night offset a 3-for-4 effort from the Bucs' Bobby Ison, who reached base in all four at-bats and hit a solo home run in the top of the first to give CSU a 1-0 lead.

The Bucs added two runs in the second on a leadoff double from Chase Shelton, who scored on a squeeze play with Jaren Sustar. Kevin Hickey added an RBI single in the inning as John Faircloth came around to score after reaching on an infield single.

Winthrop rallied to tie the game on Bucs' starter Ryan Gunther in the fifth. The senior did not factor into the decision, striking out four and walking four in five innings of work. He allowed three runs, all earned.

Freshman Andrew Tomasovich (LP, 0-5) took the loss for CSU as Winthrop took the lead for good with three runs in the sixth. A two-out, two-run single from Eagles' catcher Austin Barber was the big blow in the inning.

Winthrop outhit the Bucs, 11-9. Shelton finished 1-for-2 with two walks in the game for CSU.

The Bucs will send LHP Tory Schroff (5-2) to the mound and RHP Kevin Buran (2-7) to the mound in tomorrow's doubleheader.

-CSU-