Box Score 1 | Box Score 2

BECKLEY, W.Va. – Shepherd University (37-14) went 1-1 at the MEC Baseball Tournament at Linda K. Epling Stadium on Saturday. The Rams dropped a 7-5 decision to University of Charleston (33-20) in the early game before rebounding to hand Notre Dame (21-32) a 6-2 loss. The Rams advance to Sunday's championship round.

Shepherd took a 1-0 lead in the first inning against Notre Dame when junior outfielder Nick Atkinson (Manassas, Va./Osbourn Park/VCU) doubled and later scored on a single off the bat of junior outfielder Justin Smith (Hagerstown, Md./Smithsburg/Hagerstown CC).

The Rams upped their lead to 2-0 with a run in the third. Sophomore catcher Christian Hamel (Pasadena, Md./IMG Academy) walked and later scored on a single by junior first baseman Eddie Nottingham (Windsor Mill, Md./Mt. St. Joseph's).

Shepherd took a 3-0 lead in the fifth as Smith walked, stole second, and scored on a single by Nottingham.

The Falcons got on the board in the sixth as Nick Farrell doubled and later scored on a single by Zach Santoro.

The Rams added three insurance runs in the ninth as Atkinson hit a two-run triple and scored on a groundout by sophomore outfielder Brenton Doyle (Warrenton, Va./Kettle Run).

Notre Dame scored a run in the bottom of the ninth as Ryan Kosmynka doubled, moved to third on a balk, and later scored on a groundout by Lukas Thompson.

Smith went 3-for-3 to lead the Rams.

Drake May and Adam Purdy each had a pair of hits for Notre Dame.

Freshman pitcher Adam Miller (Stephens City, Va./Sherando) (9.0 IP, 9 H, 2 ER, 7 K, 1 BB) (5-2) gained complete game win for the Rams. Chris Murphy (8.1 IP, 11 H, 6 ER, 2 K, 3 BB) (2-7) took the loss for the Falcons.

Shepherd took a 1-0 lead in the first inning against Charleston on a solo homer by Atkinson.

The Rams took a 4-0 lead in the second with three more runs. Senior outfielder Reid Entsminger (Stephens City, Va./Sherando/Lamar) belted a two-run homer and Hamel walked with the bases loaded to score sophomore second baseman Eric Sloper (Catlett, Va./Patriot), who reached on a bunt single.

Charleston scored four runs in the fourth to tie the game. The Golden Eagles got a two-run homer from Austin Hathaway and a solo shot from Hayden Cartt to key the rally.

The Golden Eagles added three runs in the eighth with Hathaway, Brice Arrington and Ryan Hunt each driving in a run.

Shepherd rallied with a run in the ninth on a solo homer by Hamel.

Atkinson and Hamel each had a pair of hits to lead the Rams.

Steven Davis, Hathaway, and Cartt each had three hits for the Golden Eagles.

Junior reliever Colin Benner (Clear Brook, Va./Millbrook) (4.1 IP, 4 H, 3 ER, 2 K, 0 BB) (2-5) took the loss. Austin Henrich (7.2 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 K, 5 BB) (5-3) gained the win for the Golden Eagles.

The Rams will face Charleston on Sunday at 1 p.m. and look to force another game at 4:30 p.m.