NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (Interstat) — In a wild Big South Conference opener defined by a massive early outburst and a relentless late comeback attempt, the High Point Panthers outlasted the Charleston Southern Buccaneers 14-11 on Friday evening at Buccaneer Ballpark.

The game, which began in the afternoon and concluded under the lights, saw the Panthers (25-12, 1-0) plate 10 runs across the second and third innings to build a commanding lead, then hold off a furious rally by the Buccaneers (21-15, 0-1), who scored nine unanswered runs over the final seven frames.

High Point sent 11 batters to the plate in a six-run second inning, keyed by a three-run homer from Christian Smith. The Panthers added four more in the third on a two-run shot by SeoJun Oh and capitalized on Buccaneers’ mistakes, scoring three unearned runs in the fourth.

The most important sequence of the game, however, came in the middle innings as High Point’s bullpen stabilized the contest after Charleston Southern’s offense awakened. After the Buccaneers chased starter Connor Walton in the fourth, having scored seven runs on 13 hits, reliever Jack Carey entered and provided critical relief. Carey pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowing just one unearned run on two hits to stem the tide.

He was followed by Tyler Shafer, who delivered the game’s most dominant performance. Shafer earned the save with three perfect innings of relief, striking out four and silencing the Buccaneers’ bats during the seventh and eighth innings as High Point extended its lead. His outing was crucial in halting Charleston Southern’s momentum and preserving the Panthers’ advantage.

Charleston Southern’s offense, which amassed 17 hits, was led by Tyler Wright, who drove in four runs. Lucas Pringle and Chandler Tuupo each added two RBIs. The Buccaneers scored three unearned runs in the eighth inning off an error to pull within three, but could get no closer.

Oh finished 2 for 4 with a home run, two RBIs and three runs scored for High Point, while Smith’s three RBIs came on his one hit, the second-inning homer. Kayden Althoff provided two scoreless innings of relief for Charleston Southern, and Corbin Payne pitched a perfect ninth.

The victory improved High Point’s record in a game that far exceeded the Interstat game simulator’s projection of a 7-4 Panthers win. High Point had been given a 61.3% probability to win by the same service’s ELO system.

The two teams continue their three-game conference series on Saturday.