College of Charleston’s hitting came alive for the second-straight game as the Cougars knocked 18 hits in a 16-3 rout of Winthrop at Patriots Point.
College of Charleston (23-11) won its second straight game after a four-game losing streak by tying a season-high output of 16 runs with two homers, two triples and two doubles. Winthrop (11-23) managed just six hits and three runs, two of which were unearned.
Bradley Goodson led the Cougars charge with a 4-for-4 day at the plate with a three-run home run and five total RBIs. Daniel Aldrich notched his second straight multi-hit game as he went 3-for-5 with three runs and an RBI triple, his fourth three-base knock of the season.
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After hitting his first career home run on Sunday, Gunnar Heidt hit his second long ball in as many games, a three-run jack in the sixth inning. Tyler Jackson knocked a triple and finished with a run and three RBI, while Brandon Murray scored two runs on two hits with an RBI. Marty Gantt batted in the leadoff spot for the first time this season and notched three hits and two walks, scoring two runs and swiping two bags.
Playing at first base for the second straight game, Rob Harding did not record an at bat all game as he hit two sacrifices, was hit by a pitch and walked.
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“I was really pleased with our approach at the plate,” head coach Monte Lee said. “We’ve been very disciplined the last two games with our approach and it’s paid off with run production. Our pitching staff continued to do a great job as well. We need to have a good week of practice to carry this momentum into an important weekend series with Samford.”
The Cougar pitching staff was not outdone by the offensive outburst as CofC combined for 12 strikeouts and no walks while allowing just one earned run. Starter Ryan West (3-3) earned his third win of the season, pitching 6.0 innings and giving up just five hits and one earned run while striking out seven. Drew Freie, Dre Watts and David Peterson came on in relief and limited the Eagles to just one hit.
Winthrop starter Preston Johnson (1-5) was tagged with the loss. He lasted just 3.0 innings after allowing seven runs on six hits and walking four batters. Jason Driver was the lone bright spot for the Eagle offense as he went 3-for-4 with a solo home run in the sixth inning.
The Cougars scored runs in all but the second and fifth inning, as the second frame was the only inning where the Eagles set down CofC without a hit. 18 hits marked a season high for Charleston and the Cougars are now 18-4 when scoring first.
The two College of Charleston home runs raised the team total to 37 which ranks sixth in the nation and leads the Southern Conference.
Charleston will look to continue its momentum this weekend when the Cougars welcome conference foe Samford to Patriots Point. First pitch on Friday night is scheduled for 6 p.m.