MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (Interstat) — Will Tippett broke out of a brief slump with a two-run homer and three RBIs, and Dylan Johnson delivered a go-ahead single in the eighth inning as the College of Charleston Cougars rallied for a 7-5 win over the Charleston Southern Buccaneers in nonconference baseball Tuesday night at CofC Baseball Stadium at Patriot’s Point.

The Cougars, who evened their overall record at 20-20, trailed 5-2 after four innings but chipped away before overtaking the Buccaneers (22-17) late. The victory validated the pregame projections, as Interstat’s game simulator had predicted a 7-4 College of Charleston win, and its ELO system gave the Cougars a 71.3% probability to win.

The most critical sequence of the game unfolded in the bottom of the eighth inning with the score tied 5-5. After reliever Ryan Hench worked two scoreless innings for the Cougars, Nick Diaz led off the eighth with a single. Following two strikeouts, Kevin Amman singled to put runners at the corners. Charleston Southern brought in Drew Dawson to face Johnson, but the Cougars’ catcher lined a single through the right side, scoring Diaz with the decisive run. Johnson then stole second and later scored on an error to provide a key insurance run.

Johnson finished the night 4 for 5 with two RBIs, while Diaz went 3 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored. Tippett, the Cougars’ shortstop who was 0 for 7 over his previous two games, provided the early offensive spark. His two-run homer to left field in the second inning off Buccaneers starter Aydan Smith erased an early deficit and ignited the Cougars’ comeback. Tippett added an RBI groundout in the fourth and doubled in the seventh, finishing 2 for 4.

Charleston Southern’s offense was prolific early, racking up 16 hits but stranding numerous runners and grounding into two double plays. Designated hitter Tyler Wright drove in three runs on a 3-for-4 night, including a two-run single in the fourth that extended the Buccaneers’ lead to 5-2.

The Buccaneers’ bullpen initially stifled the Cougars’ momentum. Reliever Zach Stichweh entered in the third and delivered three perfect innings, allowing no hits and striking out two. However, the Cougars broke through against the next wave of Charleston Southern pitchers, scoring twice in the seventh to tie the game at 5-5. Johnson and Cole LaCoste had RBI singles in the frame before Ayden Smith tied it with a sacrifice fly.

College of Charleston’s bullpen combination of Drew Medley, Kurt Rogers and Hench proved decisive. After starter Frail and Thomas struggled, the trio combined for five innings, allowing just one run on six hits. Hench earned the win with two scoreless innings, striking out two.

Sam Speirs had an RBI double for Charleston Southern in the seventh. The Buccaneers put the tying run on base in the ninth against Hench, but a game-ending double play sealed the Cougars’ victory.

Both teams resume conference play this weekend. Charleston Southern travels to face UNC Asheville for a three-game series starting Friday. College of Charleston opens a three-game home set against Campbell on Friday. The crosstown rivals are scheduled to meet again on May 5 at Charleston Southern.