Homestanding Charleston Southern scored eight runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, overcoming a 5-1 deficit, and took the first game of a three-game Big South Conference series against High Point, 9-6, on Friday afternoon.

CSU improves to 21-30 overall, 10-9 in the Big South Conference, while High Point falls to 24-25 overall, 8-8 in the league.

The two teams will play a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at noon.

Second baseman Brad Woods delivered a three-run homerun, his first of the season, to break a 5-5 tie in the big inning, which also included a game-tying two-out, two-run double from third baseman David Martindale, and a solo homerun by centerfielder Jordan Haar.

High Point starter David White held the Bucs in check for the first six innings, allowing just one run on six hits as the Panthers built a 5-1 lead. However, Smith tired in the seventh, leaving with one out and allowing four runs total. CSU touched up reliever Rusty Bodenheimer for four runs, including the hits by Martindale, Woods and Haar. Bodenheimer took the loss and falls to 4-4 on the season.

CSU reliever Andy Viars pitched a scoreless seventh to pick up his fourth win of the season against six losses. Viars made his 80th career appearance as a pitcher, tying the school record, and recorded his 200th career strikeout.

CSU, which tallied 13 hits in the contest, got a pair of hits from Brandon Massey, Martindale, Woods and Brian Richardson. High Point was led offensively by third baseman Kemp Smith, who had two hits and two RBI. First baseman Ryan Thiede and shortstop Colin Cronin also had two hits for the Panthers, who totaled 13 hits as a team.

Saturday's doubleheader can be heard live on the Internet by clicking on the live audio icon on www.csusports.com.