NUTTER FORT, W.Va. – The Salem University baseball team dropped a contest to Charleston 12-6 on a sunny but cold, Tuesday afternoon at Frank Loria Memorial Field. 
 
With the loss, Salem falls to 10-9, while Charleston improves to 5-7.
 
Sophomore Carlos Pena started on the hill for the Tigers as he tossed four innings with three earned runs, five hits and notched five strikeouts. 
 
Junior Tyler Ault tallied three hits with three RBI and two runs scored in four at-bats, while classmate Walker Dodero notched two hits and two RBI in four at-bats. 
 
Charleston got on the board first as it generated three runs in the top of the third inning. 
 
Salem answered back in the bottom of the third inning as the bats were rolling. Salem scored its first runs as Ault doubled down the left field line to score senior Harrison Hollis, freshman Michael Rosario and sophomore Tyler D'Alessandro to tie the game at 3-3. 
 
Two batters later, Dodero singled to right field scoring Ault from third and a 4-3 lead. The next at-bat, senior Thirus Jones hit a sacrifice fly to right field to score senior Cramer and take a 5-3 lead. 
 
In the bottom of the fifth, Salem added its final run of the game as Dodero singled through the left side of the field as Ault crossed home for a 6-4 lead. 
 
Charleston took the lead in the top of the seventh as it added two runs for a 7-6 lead. Charleston expanded its lead in the top of the ninth as Brunetti hit a two-run homer to left for a 12-6 advantage. 
 
The Tigers are back in action tomorrow as they are set to host Alderson Broaddus at the Frank with a 4:00 p.m. start.