CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Junior Tim Hoehn collected a pair of base hits and an RBI, but the the William & Mary baseball team dropped its season opener at Charlotte 7-3 on Friday afternoon. With the decision the Tribe falls to 0-1, while the 49ers improve to 1-0.
 
 William & Mary opened the 2016 with a bang with two runs in the top half of the first inning. Sophomore Ryan Hall drew a leadoff walk, followed by a single by senior Josh Smith. A fielder's choice allowed for senior Charley Gould to reach loading the bases. After an out, freshman Jason Waldman slapped a single  into left field, scoring two runs for his first career hit and RBIs. The base knock gave W&M a 2-0 lead.
 
Charlotte took its first lead with three two-out runs in the bottom of the third inning. With one out, Derek Fritz singled to center, moving to second on a sacrifice bunt. A Tribe error and a walk loaded the bases for the 49ers. The next batter, Brett Netzer doubled down the left field line, clearing the bases and gave Charlotte a 3-2 advantage. All three of the runs were unearned.
 
The 49ers tacked on two more runs in the home half of the fourth. T.J. Nichting led of the frame with a single up the middle. The next batter, Logan Scherer followed with a homer over the left wall, pushing the score to 5-2.
 
W&M got a run back in the top of the sixth inning. Back-to-back walks to Gould and sophomore Cullen Large put two on with no out. After an out, Gould was cut down on a fielder's choice at third base. Hoehn followed with a single, cutting the deficit to 5-3.
 
Charlotte responded with two runs in the bottom of the frame. Back-to-back singles from Nichting and Sherer, followed by a sacrifice bunt put runners on second and third with an out. Fritz singled down the left field line scoring two, and giving the 49ers a 7-3 advantage.
 
Junior Nick Brown was saddled with his first loss of the season. He tossed six innings allowing seven runs (four earned) on 10 hits. He fanned two batters. Senior Andrew White and sophomore Charlie Fletcher each tossed an inning of scoreless relief. Fletcher added a strikeout in his scoreless eighth inning.
 
Sean Geoghegan pitched five innings allowing two runs on five hits, and striking out four, earning the win. Philip Perry pitched the game's final four innings, earning the save. He allowed one run on three hits and four strikeouts. 
 
Nitching and Sherer led the offense for Charlotte with three hits apiece. Netzer added three RBI for the 49ers.
 
The Green and Gold and 49ers continue their three-game series tomorrow, Saturday, Feb. 20 at 1 p.m. The series concludes on Sunday, Feb. 21. First pitch for that game is set for 1 p.m.