MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (Interstat) — The College of Charleston Cougars capitalized on early Rutgers mistakes and used a balanced offensive attack to overcome an initial deficit and secure an 8-3 victory in the season opener for both teams Friday evening at CofC Baseball Stadium at Patriot’s Point.

The Scarlet Knights struck quickly in the top of the first inning. Leadoff hitter Bonds singled, stole second and later scored on an RBI single from Wells to give Rutgers a 1-0 lead before many in the evening crowd had settled.

That advantage was short-lived, however, as the Cougars responded immediately and forcefully in the bottom half of the frame against Rutgers starter Joe Mazza. A combination of walks and timely hitting, including a bases-loaded walk to Dylan Johnson and a run-scoring fielder’s choice from Braeden Smith, plated two runs to seize a 2-1 lead.

The game’s decisive turn came in the bottom of the second inning, where Rutgers defense faltered. A fielding error by shortstop Carreras opened the door, and College of Charleston kicked it down. Will Tippett followed with a double, and Gibbs cleared the bases with a two-run double to left-center. Plyler then drove in Gibbs with another double, capping a three-run inning that extended the Cougars’ lead to 5-1. All three runs in the inning were charged to Mazza.

The most important sequence of the game occurred in the fourth inning, where Rutgers threatened to rally but ultimately squandered a key opportunity. The Scarlet Knights loaded the bases with one out, chasing Cougars starter Hayden Thomas. Reliever Alex Lyon entered and promptly allowed a two-run single to Bonds, cutting the deficit to 5-3. With the tying runs on base, Lyon induced a crucial inning-ending 6-4-3 double play from Krewson to extinguish the threat. The Cougars then answered in the bottom half, adding a run on a sacrifice fly from Plyler to restore a three-run cushion at 6-3.

College of Charleston added insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings. Payton Frehner delivered an RBI single in the fifth, and a throwing error by Rutgers reliever Kirchner allowed another run to score in the sixth, making it 8-3.

The Cougars’ bullpen sealed the win. Lyon provided 5 1/3 innings of strong relief, allowing two unearned runs on four hits. Kurt Rogers recorded the final out in the ninth to close the game. Rutgers managed eight hits but went 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position and grounded into two double plays.

Landon Penfield reached base three times via walks for College of Charleston. Gibbs finished with two hits, two RBIs and two runs scored. Bonds led Rutgers with two hits and three RBIs.

With the win, College of Charleston begins its season 1-0. Rutgers starts 0-1. The teams are scheduled to continue their series with a doubleheader on Saturday.

Interstat’s ELO system had projected College of Charleston with a 60.80 percent probability to win.