JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – University of Charleston used a 21-hit attack en route to a 17-9 win over Shepherd University in WVIAC Baseball Tournament action at Point Stadium on Thursday.  

 

Charleston took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a two-run single by John Schraer.

 

The Golden Eagles increased their lead to 4-0 with two runs in the third on an RBI-double by Igor Molina and a sacrifice fly by Schraer.

 

Shepherd cut the lead to 4-2 with a pair of runs in the fourth. Senior first baseman Nathan Minnich (Waynesboro, PA/Waynesboro Area Sr.) led off with a walk and senior designated hitter Nash Hutter (Sunland, CA/Verdugo Hills/Glendale CC) launched a one-out homer to left.

 

Charleston plated four runs in the bottom of the frame with a two-run single by Schraer highlighting the rally.

 

The Rams rallied with three runs in the fifth to cut the lead to 7-5. An RBI-triple by sophomore outfielder Aaron Scoville (Centreville, VA/Westfield) and a sacrifice fly by Minnich keyed the rally.

 

Ryan Easterling hit a two-run homer  in the bottom of the fifth to increase the lead to 9-5.

 

Senior third baseman Travis Sluger (Germantown, MD/Williamsport/Hagerstown CC) belted a two-run blast in the sixth to cut the lead to 9-7.

 

The Golden Eagles answered back with a pair of runs of a two-run homer by Ryan Foster in the bottom of the inning.

 

Shepherd cut the lead to 11-9 in the eighth on a two-run single by sophomore outfielder Michael Lott (Woodbridge, VA/Woodbridge) .

 

Charleston sealed the win with six runs in the bottom of the eighth. Schraer had a two-run double to key the rally.

 

Sophomore catcher Ryan Messina (St. James, NY/Smithtown East) went 3-for-4 and scored two runs to lead the Rams.

 

Schraer was 3-for-5 with seven RBIs, while Molina went 4-for-4 for the Golden Eagles.

 

Freshman starter Matt Copley (Winchester, VA/James Wood) took the loss to fall to 2-2. Tim Ponn (8-4) picked up the win for Charleston.

 

Shepherd falls to 27-20, while Charleston improves to 26-21. The Rams return to action on Friday when they face Seton Hill at 4:30 p.m.