CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Senior Mitchell Aker tossed 6.1 innings and didn't allow an earned run, while the Tribe scored three runs in the top of the ninth inning dropping Charlotte 5-1 in the middle game of a three-game series on Saturday afternoon. With the win, the Tribe improved to 1-1 on the young season, while the 49ers also fall to 1-1.
 
Aker scattered five hits and allowed an unearned run in his first win of the season for the Green and Gold. Sophomore Robert White and senior Joseph Gaouette combined to pitch a scoreless 2.2 innings in relief. Gaouette earned the first save of the season with two strikeouts over his 1.1 innigs.
 
Offensively, senior Charley Gould, junior Charles Ameer, sophomore Ryan Hall, and freshman Matthew Keane all finished the game with two hits apiece. Ameer and senior Josh Smith each homered for the first time this season.
 
For the second straight day, the W&M offense scored a run in the top half of the first inning. Hall led off the game with a triple down the left field line. After an out, Gould had an infield single that scored Hall, and gave the Tribe a 1-0 lead.
 
Charlotte took advantage of an unearned run in the bottom of the fifth inning tying the game. Logan Sherer led off the inning by reaching on an error, before moving to second on a sacrifice bunt. Back-to-back singles from Eddie Hull and Derek Fritz loaded the bases. The next batter, Derek Gallello flew out to left, but it was enough to score Sherer on a sacrifice fly. 
 
W&M responded with a run of its own in the top half of the sixth. Ameer connected on the Tribe's first homer of the season over the left field wall, regaining a 2-1 advantage for the Green and Gold.
 
The Tribe tacked on three insurance runs in the top of the ninth inning. Freshman Kyle Wrighte led of the inning by getting hit by a pitch, moving to second on a sacrifice bunt by Keane. The next batter, Hall singled back up the middle, scoring Wrighte from second. The rally continued as Smith belted a homer over the left field wall.  Smith's first round-tripper of the season gave the Tribe a 5-1 advantage.
 
J.D. Prochaska was saddled for the loss for Charlotte. He tossed three innings allowing just the home run to Ameer. Offensively, Sherer was the lone Charlotte player with two-hits, while Gallello drove in the only run.
 
The rubber game of the series between the two teams will be played tomorrow, Sunday, Feb. 21. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. The Tribe continues its road trip as it travels to Liberty on Tuesday, Feb. 23 at 3 p.m.