CHARLESTON, S.C. – The William and Mary Tribe baseball team dropped game one of a doubleheader, 5-2, to the College of Charleston on Saturday afternoon. Due to the travel day, the game was only seven-innings long. With the loss, the Tribe falls to 31-19, 14-5 in the Colonial Athletic Association, while Charleston improves to 38-16, 15-5 in league action.
Senior Kevin Nutter led the Tribe in the game, going 2-for-4 with a run scored. Junior Michael Katz collected the Tribe's lone RBI in the game.
For the 24th game this season and the second straight game, the Tribe plated a run in the top of the first inning. Nutter singled, leading off the game. After an out, Katz tripled to right center, scoring Nutter. Katz came around to score on a throwing error, giving the Green and Gold a 2-0 lead.
Charleston took the lead with four runs in the bottom of the second inning. Nick Pappas led off the inning with a walk, moving to second on a walk to Ryan Welke. A flyout put runners on the corners, and a groundout allowed Welke to reach second. A wild pitch allowed for the first Charleston run to score. A Tribe error tied the game at 2-2. A double by Champ Rowland put runners on second and third. The next batter, Blake Butler singled, clearing the bases and giving the Cougars a 4-2 advantage.
The Cougars added a run in the bottom of the sixth inning. With one out, Morgan Phillips walked, moving to second when Brandon Glazer was hit by a pitch. The next batter, Rowland singled into left field, giving Charleston a 5-2 lead.
Starting pitcher redshirt senior John Sheehan pitched a complete game, tossing six innings. He allowed five runs (two earned) on seven hits, while striking out two. He was charged with his fifth loss of the season.
Charleston's starting pitcher Bailey Ober was credited with the win. He pitched six innings allowing just two runs (one earned) while scattering five hits. He struck out nine batters on the day. Michael Hanzlik was credited with his 13th save of the season, after pitching a scoreless seventh inning.
W&M and Charleston will play the second game, a nine-inning affair, of the doubleheader at a approximately 4 p.m. The winner of the game will win the CAA regular season title.
