CHARLESTON, W.Va. – The Golden Eagles rallied twice in Friday's MEC Baseball Tournament opener to eventually outlast Notre Dame College, 14-10, at Linda K. Epling Stadium helped out by a mid-game weather delay to turn the tide.
 
THE BASICS

FINAL SCORE        University of Charleston 14, Notre Dame College 10
                                    
 
LOCATION              Beckley, W.Va. (Linda K. Epling Stadium)
RECORDS                Charleston (31-20, 22-10); Notre Dame (19-31)
THE GAME
 
After being awarded the MEC South Division Champion banner and trophy, University of Charleston took to the field against the MEC North third place finisher Notre Dame College in the Mountain East Conference Baseball Tournament's second game of the afternoon.  The Falcons jumped on UC starter Adam Jafine, scoring four runs in the first two innings to force Charleston to turn to their bullpen earlier than they had anticipated.  
 
Trailing 4-0 in the third, the Golden Eagles got the break they were looking for in the form of a weather delay, stalling the game for nearly 40 minutes. Charleston regrouped in the delay, came out with high energy and scored four runs in the third to even the score at 4-4 capped off by Colby Johnson's two-run homerun, his team-high ninth of the season.   The Falcons reclaimed the lead in the fifth, taking advantage of some Golden Eagle miscues in the field to take a 7-4 advantage.  
 
After trading runs and Charleston down 8-5 in the sixth, UC came alive with a five-run sixth and four-run seventh to take command of their MEC Tournament opening game.  Austin Hathaway broke an 8-8 tie with the rare inside-the-park HR, hitting the base of the wall in center and rebounding past the Falcon center fielder as the speedy designated hustled around the bases before sliding head first into home to put UC up 10-8.  The Golden Eagles built on their lead in the seventh, aided by a bases loaded clearing three-run single to right center by Steven Davis that gave Charleston a 14-8 lead late in the nine-inning game.
 
Jordan Peck took the mound for Charleston in the seventh to work the final three innings for the save as Jacob Kaiser earned his third win of the season after working an inning and two-thirds in middle relief.  Despite allowing 10 runs as a staff, only five were earned with UC looking to clean up their defense heading into Friday evening's game.
 
UP NEXT
Charleston faces West Liberty tomorrow in the MEC Tournament's second day at Linda K. Epling Stadium.  First pitch with the Hilltoppers is set for 7:00 p.m.
 
CHAMPIONSHIP CENTRAL