CHARLESTON, WV - The Salem International University Tigers scored a pair of runs in the top of the third inning to erase a two-run deficit against the University of Charleston Golden Eagles, but a two-run home-half of the inning propelled UC to a 5-3 victory in game one. The Tigers dropped a 9-0 decision in game two against the Golden Eagles in NCAA Division II baseball action.

Sophomore Jimmy Cramer finished the game 3-for-4 at the plate for the Tigers, while senior Sean Deviney went 2-for-3 with one RBI. Sophomore Ethan Turner went 2-for-4 and drove in a pair of runs for the Tigers.

Charleston scored a run in each of the first and second innings against SIU senior Abel Hernandez. The southpaw saw a run score on an error to make it 1-0 and then an RBI triple in the second inning to make it 2-0 UC.

Turner gave the Tigers life in the top of the third inning with his single to left field that scored senior Matthew Flores and junior Zach Mullinax to knot the score 2-2.

The Tigers would be unable to hold-off another rally from the Golden Eagles in the bottom of the third as a single to left center made it 3-2 and a wild pitch from Hernandez would give UC a two run lead (4-2).

Deviney pulled the Tigers to within a run of the Golden Eagles with his RBI groundout in the top of the fifth inning. Deviney plated senior Donato Gallano, who started the inning with a triple.

UC added an insurance run in the bottom of the fifth with a solo home run to right center. Gallano would take over on the mound for Hernandez in the sixth inning and give the Tigers a chance to rally in the seventh inning.

SIU wouldn't have a rally in them as Charleston preserved the 5-3 win in the opening game of the twin bill.

The Golden Eagles scored a pair of runs against sophomore Jordan Wagner in the bottom of the first inning to take an early 2-0 lead. The lead would hold until UC added seven to its total in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Wagner would make it though the inning and yield way to sophomore Michael Rupp for the sixth inning.