Concord Starts MEC Tournament 2-0 After 10-4 Win over Frostburg State

BECKLEY, W.Va. – The Concord University baseball team used a seven-run third inning to power its way to the winner's bracket final in the Mountain East Conference Tournament at Epling Stadium Friday night, defeating Frostburg State, 10-4.

CU plays Charleston 12:00 p.m. Saturday for a spot in the MEC Championship Game Sunday. The loser goes into the elimination bracket 7:00 p.m. Saturday.

Holding a 1-0 edge heading to the third inning, the Mountain Lions (33-17-1) had the first 10 batters of the inning reach. Back-to-back base hits brought in sophomore outfielder D.J. Christian to start the rally. The first of two doubles in the game from fifth-year senior infielder Anthony Stehlin set up runners at second and third. A perfectly-executed squeeze bunt by junior outfielder Kyle Keenan plated freshman infielder/pitcher MJ Hunter.

Sophomore infielder Zack Saryeldin picked up his second RBI of the game with a run-scoring single during the next at-bat. And two batters later, fellow sophomore infielder Michael Dupont drew a bases-loaded walk.

With the bases still full of Mountain Lions, freshman catcher Joey Duffer had the biggest blow of the inning with a two-run double to left center field. Christian scored in the inning for a second time on a fielder's choice to complete the scoring.

Sophomore pitcher Eddie Blake protected the lead, only allowing a leadoff home run in the fifth.

Both teams scored in the sixth including Stehlin hitting his second home run of the tournament, a solo shot to left field.
Frostburg State (33-16) crept to within 9-4 in the seventh, but the final out of the inning was recorded at second base as the Bobcats tried to stretch out an RBI single. CU's outfield recorded three assists in the game.

The Maroon and Gray added a 10th run in the eighth.

After collecting 16 hits Thursday night, Concord added 14 more hits Friday. Stehlin continued his hot run by going 4-for-4 with two doubles, a home run and three runs scored. Duffer bagged three hits and two RBI. Saryeldin added two more hits and three RBI. At the top of the order, Hunter had a pair of hits and two runs scored.

Blake (7-4) went seven innings as he allowed four earned runs and struck out six. Fifth-year senior pitcher Dan Nicholls tossed two scoreless innings to secure the win.