MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. - Bradley Jones slid home just ahead of Johnathan Stokes' throw in the bottom of the 11th, giving College of Charleston an 8-7 win over The Citadel in the opener of a three-game series Friday at Patriots Point.

The series continues with a 2 p.m. game Saturday at Riley Park, and the teams return to Patriots Point to wrap up the set Sunday at 1 p.m. The win enabled the Cougars to even the series at 41 apiece since Charleston reinstated its baseball program in 1991.

Jones dropped a pop fly single between Stokes and left fielder Barrett Charpia off Bulldog closer Skylar Hunter to lead off the inning. He advanced to third on a stolen base and wild pitch and broke for home when Champ Rowland hit a hard grounder up the middle with the infield in.

Stokes made a diving stop and quickly got to his feet, but Jones hit the plate before Stephen Windham could apply the tag. Hunter, who was in his third inning of relief, took the loss while Brandon Glazer was the winning pitcher after retiring Drew Ellis with a runner at third and two outs in the top of the 11th.

The Citadel (3-2) tied the game with two runs in the top of the ninth on a leadoff walk, singles by Austin Mapes and Ellis and a sacrifice fly by Connor Walsh. Nick Pappas nearly won it for the Cougars (2-2) in the bottom of the frame, but his drive to the fence in right center was hauled in by Jason Smith.

Hunter struck out three in his two-plus innings of work. Starter James Reeves went the first five innings and allowed seven hits and four runs with six strikeouts.

The Bulldogs fell behind 3-0 and 4-3 but rallied with single runs in the fifth and seventh, taking a 5-4 lead when Walsh drew a four-pitch bases loaded walk. It was a short-lived advantage as Charleston's Carl Wise slammed a three-run homer off JP Sears with two outs in the bottom of the seventh.

Mapes had three hits for The Citadel while Philip Watcher had two hits and drove in three runs, including two with a triple as part of a three-run third. Smith scored three runs out of the Bulldog leadoff spot.