CONWAY, S.C. (Interstat) — The College of Charleston Cougars, leaning on timely hitting and capitalizing on Coastal Carolina mistakes, edged the 18th-ranked Chanticleers 4-3 in a nonconference baseball game Tuesday afternoon at Springs Brooks Stadium.

The Cougars (2-3), coming off a series loss to Rutgers, scratched out the winning run in the eighth inning without the benefit of a hit to snap a three-game skid. Coastal Carolina (3-1), which entered the game with a 72.6% win probability according to Interstat’s ELO system, saw its early-season win streak halted at three.

The most critical sequence unfolded in the top of the eighth inning with the score tied 2-2. Ethan Plyler worked a leadoff walk from Coastal Carolina reliever Evan Richardson. Dylan Johnson followed with a single to center, and Braeden Smith loaded the bases with another single to center, chasing Richardson from the game.

New pitcher Connor Doran induced a ground ball from Payton Frehner, but it was enough to score Plyler from third for a go-ahead RBI groundout. Jackson Berini then lifted a sacrifice fly to center, plating Johnson to provide a crucial insurance run and a 4-2 lead.

That extra run proved vital in the bottom of the seventh when Coastal Carolina mounted a threat against the Cougars’ bullpen. With two on and two out, Chanticleers’ first baseman Derek Horn reached on a fielding error by Charleston shortstop Will Tippett, allowing Zack Trace to score from third and cut the deficit to 4-3. The Cougars escaped further damage when reliever Jake Rogers struck out Caden Taylor to strand the potential tying and go-ahead runs in scoring position.

Charleston’s pitching staff navigated constant traffic, as Coastal Carolina out-hit the Cougars 9-8 but stranded 10 baserunners. Starter Jake Harrington and three relievers combined to limit the Chanticleers to just two earned runs. Rogers earned the win with 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief, working around three hits and the unearned run.

Coastal Carolina struck first in the second inning on an RBI double by Sam Mihos, who finished 2-for-5. The Chanticleers added another in the fourth on an RBI double from Alex Tozzi, scoring Horn to tie the game at 1-1.

The Cougars had taken an early lead in the fifth without a timely hit. Reece Holbrook led off with a ground-rule double and later scored from second when Coastal Carolina left fielder Caden Taylor misplayed a fly ball from Brent Gibbs for a two-base error.

Holbrook was instrumental again in the seventh, delivering a two-out RBI single to left off reliever Jacob Horn to score Frehner and break a 2-2 tie, setting the stage for the decisive eighth inning.

Coastal Carolina starter Riley Smallets took a no-decision, allowing one unearned run over two innings. The loss was charged to Richardson.

The College of Charleston continues its homestand with a three-game series against South Alabama beginning Friday. Coastal Carolina opens a weekend tournament at home Friday against VCU.