Charleston, W. Va – The No. 25 University of Charleston Baseball prepares for their biggest series of the season a four game set against Concord University that will likely decide South Division seeding for the Mountain East Conference Tournament on May 10-14. The series is set to begin at Saturday and Sunday at 1 p.m.
 
Charleston cracked the top 25 in this week's latest NCBWA poll for the first time since 2021 and are currently 33-7 overall with a 21-3 record in conference play. They sit at third in the Atlantic Region behind No. 7 Millersville, and No. 18 Seton Hill. The Golden Eagles have won 10 straight games dating back to April 8^th and they are currently on pace to set the regular season wins record.
 
The Concord University Mountain Lions will likely be their toughest test of the season with each game having huge implications for conference seeding. Concord, who recently split a four game set with West Virginia State is second in the MEC standings with a conference record of 20-4. They were tabbed seventh in the latest NCBWA Atlantic Region poll.
 
Charleston Preview
 
Charleston leads the MEC with a .357 team average in conference play and is second in ERA at 4.07.
 
Leading the way for the Golden Eagle offense is the two headed monster that is Kyle West and Tyler Dellerman, both have serious cases for MEC Player of the Year.
 
West leads the MEC for total season batting average, slugging percentage, OPS, home runs, and stolen bases. However, Dellerman is first in on base percentage, OPS, and walks during conference play. He is, second in runs, batting average, and slugging percentage against conference opponents and is leading for total season RBI.
 
Regardless of MEC Player of the Year conversations, there is no denying one fact from Charleston's two/three spot in the lineup, opposing pitchers are uncomfortable facing them. The two have combined for 92 RBI, 102 runs, 69 walks, 19 home runs, and 105 hits. They account for 28% of the teams total hits, runs, and RBI on the season while claiming 35% of the team's home run production.
 
Despite West and Dellerman's brilliance this season the lineup wouldn't be complete without Giano Zuccaro and Andre Martinez. Zuccaro is currently third on the team in average, holds a .506 on base percentage, and five home runs. He's top 10 in the MEC in batting average, on base percentage, OPS, runs, and hit by pitches.
 
While top 10 in the MEC in just two categories, Martinez has been a staple in the heart of Charleston's order this season. The juco transfer is slashing .326/.424/.439 and is third on the team in RBI behind West and Dellerman.
 
Finally, Charleston's breakout player of the year is undoubtedly senior Clay Hale. The tranfere student has been on fire during conference play this season. He is second in conference on base percentage (.592), third in slugging percentage (.851), and OPS (1.443).
 
The Golden Eagle pitching staff has been top five in the MEC all season as well. Their 4.27 team ERA ranks second behind West Virginia State. They are also leading in strikeouts with 377 and have held opponents to just twelve home runs, eleven betters than second place West Virginia State.
 
Leading the way for Charleston is the right-handed grad transfer Ethan Soderna. He has a team best 3.93 ERA, a 6-1 record with 56 strikeouts in 52.2 innings.
 
Dane Sykes leads the team with 61 strikeouts in 45 innings and a 5.00 ERA. He's fourth in the MEC in strikeouts and batters struck out looking.
 
Sophomore Cole Peschl leads the team with a 6-1 W-L record and a 2.87 ERA. He has held opponents to a .205 average with 45 strikeouts through 31.1 innings.
 
Concord Preview
 
Prior to last weekend Concord held a 18-2 record in the MEC and was in first place by two games. They split with West Virginia State on Saturday after two walk off winners by the Yellow Jackets in the final two games of the series. They are currently second with a 20-4 record in conference and overall are 24-16.
 
D.J. Christian leads the team and the conference with .395 average. The Palm Beach native has a .467 OBP and a .521 slugging percentage. Josh Adkins is slashing .377/.411/.684. He has 28 RBI and is leading the team with seven stolen bases in eight attempts.
 
Eddie Blake is leading all pitchers with a 4.08 ERA and has collected 60 strikeouts in 64.0 innings. The ace of the staff, Andrew Neff, is 9-2 with 78 strikeouts in 67.2 innings.
 
The Mountain Lions have not won a series against the Golden Eagles since back in 2015. 2021 saw both teams split their regular season series and in 2022 they took game three of the series at Segra Field. In their last meeting Charleston won 15-1 in the MEC tournament by way of run rule.
 
All games will be livestreamed on https://mountaineast.tv/concord