Box Score BECKLEY, W.Va. – Shepherd University (29-21) outslugged University of Charleston (30-21) for a 10-6 victory at Linda K. Epling Stadium in Beckley in first day action of the MEC Baseball Tournament on Thursday.

Charleston took a 2-0 lead in the first inning. Austin Hathaway led off with a solo homer, while Lee Carneal singled and scored on a double off the bat of Steven Davis.

Shepherd got a run in the bottom of the frame as freshman outfielder Brenton Doyle (Warrenton, Va./Kettle Run) reached on an error and later scored on a single by junior third baseman Chase Hoffman (Middletown, Md./Middletown).

The Rams tied the game in the third on a leadoff solo blast by Doyle.

The Rams took a 4-2 lead in the fourth. Junior designated hitter Daniel Heleine (Hedgesville, W.Va./Hedgesville/WVU) clubbed a leadoff solo homer, while junior catcher Dalton Haymaker (New Oxford, Pa./Delone Catholic/Frederick CC) singled and later scored on a single by Doyle.

Charleston tied the game in the fifth with a pair of runs. Ethan Hunt led off with a single and scored on a triple by Colby Johnson. Johnson scored when Gianfranco Morello grounded out. 

Senior outfielder Ron Farley (Cockeysville, Md./Calvert Hall/Delaware Tech) belted a solo homer in the bottom of the frame to give the Rams a 5-4 advantage.

Charleston tied the game in the sixth as Taylor Itnyre doubled, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Brice Arrington, and scored on a sacrifice fly by Hunt.

Shepherd erupted with five runs in the eighth. Senior first baseman Jacob Carney (Stephens City, Va./Sherando) hit an RBI-single, Doyle added a sacrifice fly, and Farley smacked a three-run triple to key the rally.
Charleston added a run in the ninth on a solo homer by Hathaway.

Sarty went 3-for-5, while Farley added a 2-for-5 effort and drove in four runs to lead a 14-hit attack for the Rams.

Carneal went 3-for-5 to lead the Golden Eagles.

Sophomore pitcher Ryan Potts (Owings, Md./Northern) (3.0 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 3 K, 1 BB) (2-1) gained the win for the Rams in relief of senior starter John Bentley (Stephens City, Va./Sherando) (6.0 IP, 10 H, 5 ER, 5 K, 0 BB). Reliever Robert Fultineer (3.0 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 3 K, 0 BB) (1-6) took the loss for the Golden Eagles.

The Rams return to action on Friday at 3 p.m. when they face the loser of tonight's West Liberty-West Virginia Wesleyan game.