MASON, Ohio – Charleston Baseball's early season struggles continued Thursday in a twin bill against Cedarville University, falling in both ends of the doubleheader to the Yellow Jackets.
 
THE BASICS

FINAL SCORE        Cedarville University 7, University of Charleston 3
                                    Cedarville University 5, University of Charleston 1
 
LOCATION              Mason, Ohio (Prasco Park)
RECORDS                Charleston (0-5); Cedarville (2-3)
THE GAMES
 
GAME 1
Both the Golden Eagles and the Yellow Jackets entered Thursday's doubleheader looking for their first victory of the 2018 season, combining for a 0-6 record to start the year.  It was Cedarville who would strike first, plating four runs in the opening frame to take a 4-0 lead over UC and starter Adam Jafine.  Jafine went just an inning and a third, allowing six runs before being removed for Robert Fultineer who inherited a 6-0 deficit.  The sophomore reliever was effective in relief, striking out six and allowing just two hits in six and two-thirds innings of work.
 
Trailing 7-0 after the second inning, Charleston tried to work their way back into the game and not waste Fultineer's strong performance.  UC finally got on the board in the fourth, Austin Hathaway scoring on a passed ball and Steven Davis crossing home plate following a Taylor Itnyre RBI single to make it a 7-2 game.  The Golden Eagles struck again in the sixth inning, this time Colton Bauer scoring on a passed ball but the deficit was too much to overcome as Charleston fell 7-3 to Cedarville to open the twin bill.
 
GAME 2
The Charleston bats were limited to just a pair of hits in the second game of Thursday's doubleheader, dropping the contest 5-1 to the Yellow Jackets.  Cedarville did most of their damage in the four-run fourth inning to go on top of the Golden Eagles 5-0.  Their four runs came on just two hits but took advantage of Charleston miscues in the field to plate their runners.  UC starter Austin Henrich worked three and two-thirds innings, allowing five runs but only one of which was earned.  Jack Brunetti provided the only offense for UC, doubling home Austin Hathaway for their only run.
 
NEXT UP
Charleston makes their home debut on Saturday hosting University of Pittsburgh at Johnstown.  First pitch with the Mountain Cats is set for 1:00 p.m. at Appalachian Power Park.