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Box Score 2 BECKLEY, W.Va. – Shepherd University (38-15) went 1-1 at the MEC Baseball Tournament at Linda K. Epling Stadium on Sunday. The Rams smacked a single-game record 27 hits en route to a 24-2 win over University of Charleston (34-21) in the early game before dropping a 10-7 decision to Charleston in a later game that decided the MEC Tournament champion.
Shepherd took a 5-0 lead in the first inning in the early game. Sophomore outfielder Brenton Doyle (Warrenton, Va./Kettle Run) and junior outfielder Justin Smith (Hagerstown, Md./Smithsburg/Hagerstown CC) each hit two-run blasts and sophomore second baseman Trenton Burgreen (Winchester, Va./Millbrook) added an RBI-single.
The Rams added three in the second behind an RBI-double by Smith, an RBI-single by junior catcher Eddie Nottingham (Windsor Mill, Md./Mt. St. Joseph's), and a sacrifice fly by senior third baseman Chase Hoffman (Middletown, Md./Middletown).
Shepherd added two more runs in the third. Sophomore second baseman Eric Sloper (Catlett, Va./Patriot) doubled and later scored on an error. Doyle singled and later scored on a single by Smith.
The Rams tacked on three in the fourth to take a 13-0 lead as Doyle, sophomore designated hitter Christian Hamel (Pasadena, Md./IMG Academy) and Smith each drove in a run.
Shepherd plated four runs in the eighth. Freshman outfielder Jared Carr (Martinsburg, W.Va./St. James School), sophomore catcher Joe Burack (Ridgely, Md./North Caroline), freshman first baseman Daniel Keer (Lehighton, Pa./Marian Catholic), and senior third baseman Dalton Haymaker (New Oxford, Pa./Delone Catholic/Frederick CC)each contributed RBI-singles.
Charleston got on the board in the bottom of the eighth as Ethan Hunt had an RBI-single and Justin Mixon added a sacrifice fly.
The Rams plated seven runs in the ninth with a two-run double by Haymaker highlighting the scoring outburst.
Junior starter Ryan Potts (Owings, Md./Northern) (7.1 IP, 11 H, 2 ER, 7 K, 3 BB) (11-1) gained the win for the Ramswith relief help from senior Nic Hammer (Jarrettsville, Md./North Harford) (1.2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 2 K, 0 BB). Potts' 11 wins tie the Shepherd season mark shared by Paul Hvozdovic (2014) and Sam Crater (2015). Anthony Zona (0.1 IP, 5 H, 5 ER, 0 K, 1 BB) (5-2) took the loss for the Golden Eagles.
Charleston took a 2-0 lead in the first inning in the later game on a two-run single by Steven Davis.
Hayden Cartt belted a solo homer in the second to give the Golden Eagles a 3-0 lead.
Shepherd got on the board in the bottom of the second on a solo homer by Smith.
Charleston added a pair of runs in the in the third to take a 5-1 lead.
The Golden Eagles plated four runs in the fourth to take a 9-1 advantage. Austin Hathaway and Jack Brunetti each had RBI-singles to key the rally.
Smith smacked an RBI-single in fourth to cut the lead to 9-2.
The Rams scored four runs on five hits in the fifth to cut the lead to 9-6. Hoffman hit a solo homer, Doyle had an RBI-single, and Smith added an RBI-double to key the scoring.
Junior designated hitter Brian McCourt (Huntingtown, Md./Huntingtown) led off the seventh with a solo blast to left to cut the lead to 9-7.
The Golden Eagles got an RBI-single from Cartt in the ninth to cap the scoring.
Smith went 3-for-4 and drove in three runs to lead the Rams.
Brunetti went 3-for-5 to lead the Golden Eagles.
Sophomore pitcher Wes Martin (Westminster, Md./Winters Mill/UMES) (3.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 K, 1 BB) (5-3) took the loss. Jordan Peck (3.0 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 K, 1 BB) (2-0) gained the win for the Golden Eagles with Jacob Kaiser (1.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 K, 0 BB) earning the save.
The Rams await word on a possible regional bid as the NCAA II Selection Show will air tonight at 10:30 p.m. on NCAA.com.
2018 MEC All-Tournament Team
Justin Retzer (West Liberty)
Justice Jackson (West Liberty)
Austin Barnhart (Notre Dame)
Zach Santoro (Notre Dame)
Ryan Potts (Shepherd)
Justin Smith (Shepherd)
Nick Atkinson (Shepherd)
Austin Hathaway (Charleston)
Austin Henrich (Charleston)
Brice Arrington (Charleston)
MVP-Steven Davis (Charleston)
