NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (Interstat) — In a wild, high-scoring affair that defied pregame projections, the Charleston Southern Buccaneers erupted for eight runs in a marathon first inning and held off a late push to defeat the Georgia Southern Eagles 14-8 on Tuesday afternoon at Buccaneer Ballpark.

The game’s defining moment came swiftly. After Georgia Southern (6-18) sent eight men to the plate in a scoreless top of the first, the bottom half spiraled into a 45-minute, 14-batter onslaught. The Buccaneers (17-7) erased the early deficit and more, sending shockwaves through the stadium.

Charleston Southern’s Blake Edgmon delivered the crushing blow. After a two-run single by J.D. Marot and a two-run error-aided single by Alex Martinez had cut the lead to 8-4, Edgmon stepped in with the bases loaded. The third baseman launched a grand slam over the left-field wall, a four-run blast that instantly tied the game and completed the stunning reversal of fortune. The inning continued, with Siosiua Tuupo adding an RBI single to cap the eight-run frame and give the Buccaneers a 9-8 lead they would not relinquish.

Edgmon, the clear star for the home side, finished 2 for 5 with the grand slam and five RBIs, extending a strong stretch at the plate. His homer was the pivotal swing in a game where Interstat’s game simulator had projected a low-scoring 5-4 Buccaneers win, and its ELO system had actually given the Eagles a 54.9% probability to win.

The Buccaneers steadily built on their lead, adding a run in the third on an RBI single by Noah Pringle and four more in the fourth. Edgmon contributed an RBI single in that fourth-inning rally, which also featured run-scoring hits from Tyler Wolfley and pinch-hitter Nick Barile, and a sacrifice fly by pinch-hitter Jake Reising to make it 14-8.

Georgia Southern’s offense, which managed 10 hits, was repeatedly stifled by double plays, grounding into four over the course of the game. The Eagles scraped across two runs in the sixth on a two-run double by catcher Bennett Edwards and an RBI single from second baseman Jack Myers, but stranded opportunities and the Buccaneers’ bullpen sealed the win.

Charleston Southern relievers were effective in containment. Zach Stichweh earned the win with three scoreless innings of two-hit ball. Tyler Henshaw and Tristan Stephenson each contributed a scoreless frame, with Stephenson navigating the sixth-inning threat.

For Georgia Southern, reliever Jax Lewis provided a bright spot with 3 2/3 innings of hitless, scoreless relief, striking out three. Jayden White and Daniel Hartley also had scoreless appearances out of the Eagles’ bullpen.

The Buccaneers pounded out 15 hits, with Wolfley, Tuupo and substitute shortstop Ethan Reader, who went 2 for 2, contributing to the attack. Edwards led Georgia Southern, going 2 for 3 with two walks and two RBIs.

Charleston Southern looks ahead to a weekend series at Winthrop beginning Friday. Georgia Southern travels to face the College of Charleston on Wednesday before hosting Troy for a weekend set.