JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Feb. 26, 2010) - A three-run first inning lifted the ETSU baseball team past Saint Peter's as the Bucs defeated the Peacocks 5-2 in the home opener Friday afternoon at Cardinal Park.

"Today was a very difficult day for our guys to play with the weather and the wind," said head coach Tony Skole. "I was really proud of our guys the way they hung in there. I thought Chas gave up a phenomenal start and was dominant today."

The Bucs (3-1) got another good outing from junior Chas Byrne (Johnson City, Tenn.) as he allowed only one run on four hits with seven strikeouts in his first win of the season.

Craig Hughes was tabbed with the loss for Saint Peter's (0-3) as he surrendered five runs (four earned) on seven hits in 6.2 innings of work.

"We got some timely hits early and hung on as it was a difficult day to play," Skole said. "Today was one of those days you just have to be mentally tough and just go out and get the job done, and our pitching did that. It wasn't pretty, but we'll take it and well go out and try to be better tomorrow."

Catcher Derek Trent (Kingsport, Tenn.) got things going for the Buccaneers in the bottom of the first as he drove a three-run home run over the fence in right to give ETSU a 3-0 lead.

In the bottom of the second, centerfielder Matthew Scruggs (Knoxville, Tenn.) doubled in Cory Betterson (Atlanta, Ga.) to put the Bucs in front 4-0. In the next at bat, sophomore Bo Reeder (Cookeville, Tenn.) singled to left driving in Scruggs extending the ETSU lead to 5-0.

The Peacocks got on the board in the top of the third on a Justyn Carter RBI single to make the score 5-1.

Saint Peter's cut the Buccaneer lead to 5-2 in the top of the eighth as Sean McFadden came in to score on an ETSU error after doubling to right center.

Junior Bo Burton (Kingsport, Tenn.) came in and closed out the game for the Bucs throwing a one-hit ninth inning en route to his first career save.

Trent and Scruggs led the team offensively as Trent was 2-for-4 on the day with a home run and three RBI, while Scruggs was 1-for-2 with an RBI, two walks and scored two runs.

The Bucs are back in action at 1 p.m. tomorrow as they will play a doubleheader against the Peacocks. Please visit www.ETSUBucs.com for more information on ETSU baseball and all other Buccaneer athletic news.

ETSU 5, Saint Peter's 2 (Feb. 26, 2010 at Johnson City, Tenn.)
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SPC............... 001  000  010  -  2      6      2   (0-3)

ETSU............ 320  000  00x    -  5      8      3   (3-1)

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Pitchers: ETSU - Chas Byrne; Scott McNally (8); Bo Burton (9)

SPC - Craig Hughes; Brian Schroeder (7); Mike Pearson (8); Matt Mancini (8)

Win - Chas Byrne (1-1)  Loss - Craig Hughes (0-1) Save - Bo Burton (1)

HR - ETSU - Derek Trent (2)