College of Charleston uses 12-run first inning to rip Jacksonville

MOUNT PLEASANT — College of Charleston tied a school record with 12 runs in the first inning and went on to rout Jacksonville, 16-3, for its fifth straight win Wednesday night at Patriots Point.

In the first inning, which lasted nearly 45 minutes, the Cougars (20-6) batted around twice, racking up 10 hits, two walks and two hit batsmen to put up 12 runs as every batter reached base at least once.

Marty Gantt’s two-run double to extend his hitting streak to 10 games was the only extra-base hit of the inning against Jacksonville (11-15).

The Cougars’ Rob Harding finished with four RBIs including a two-run home run in the fifth, while Bradley Goodson hit a solo home run in the fourth inning. Ryan Welke, Daniel Aldrich, Goodson, Gantt and Harding all had multiple RBIs.

College of Charleston finished with 16 hits and tied the previous season high of 16 runs set over the weekend against Davidson. The Cougars have now reached double digits in runs five times this season.

Starter Griffin Jones pitched four innings and allowed two runs on six hits in a no-decision. Derrick Smith (1-0) earned his first win of his career by pitching the fifth inning and giving up an unearned run.

The Cougars travel to Georgia Southern on Friday at 6 p.m.

The Dolphins used nine different pitchers, with starter Corben Madden (1-2) facing just five batters in the first inning before being relieved. Adam Brett Walker went 3 for 4 with two runs scored for Jacksonville.