CHARLESTON, S.C. – Three Buccaneer pitchers surrendered only an unearned run and Nate Blanchard went 3-for-4 with a two-run single to power Charleston Southern past Chicago State, 8-1, in its 2015 season opener on Friday night at CSU Ballpark.

Starter Andrew Tomasovich (WP, 1-0) gave up an RBI single in the top of the first following a CSU error, but went on to strike out six as the Bucs won their third-straight season opener. Relievers Evan Raynor and Wil Hartsell allowed a lone single over the final three innings to preserve the win. CSU head coach Stuart Lake liked the demeanor he saw out of his junior and No. 1 starter

"This early in the year, nobody knows what to expect," Lake said. "For Andrew to go out there and really just shut them down - at least settle us into the game - was all we could ask for…then our offense got going pretty quickly too."

Blanchard's three hits tied senior Sam Remick for team-high honors, part of the Bucs' 15-hit onslaught. The sophomore singled, stole second, and scored as part of the four-run second that gave CSU a lead for good. He added a bases-loaded single just inside the bag at first to plate two runs in the third. Lake was pleased with his team's offensive output and what he saw from his leadoff batter. 

"It was exciting to see him bring what he has brought all fall and (preseason) to a game tonight," Lake added. "He really set the table for the middle of our order tonight and that's what you want your leadoff guy to do."

Blanchard wasn't the only Bucs swining a hot bat despite temperatures dropping into the 30s by the end of the game. 

Remick went 3-for-5 while Andrew Widell was 2-for-3 with a pair of walks. He had a team-leading 30 last season. Junior college newcomer Cole Murphy was 2-for-4 in CSU debut, as was Goose Creek product Chris Singleton. 

Junior centerfielder Brandon Burris had the game's most exciting play, lining an RBI double into the right-field corner and racing home to score on an error by Chicago State's Jordan Schroschein. Chase Shelton added a double off the wall in the Bucs' two-run eighth. 

The Bucs' pitching staff took care of the rest, combining for 10 strikeouts to just two walks without allowing an extra-base hit. 

Chicago State scored in the top of the first when Julian Russell reached on a throwing error by Murphy and scored on an RBI single by Chase Matheson, but the lead lasted only an inning. 

Stroschein and Matt Schmidt each had two hits to lead the Cougars. 

Eric Hall (LP, 0-1) took the loss for Chicago State giving up four runs in four innings of work.

-CSU-