CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Behind eight strikeouts from starting pitcher Mike Hauschild and a three-run fourth inning, Dayton defeated Charlotte on Friday night at Hayes Stadium, 8-7.
The Flyers improve to 13-18 and 4-3 in conference play after winning their fourth consecutive one-run game. Charlotte falls to 14-16 and 2-5 in league play. Dayton’s win is the second all-time at Charlotte’s Hayes Stadium and first since a 7-1 win against the 23rd-ranked 49ers on April 21, 2007.
Hauschild’s eight strikeouts on Friday moved him into third place in career strikeouts at Dayton with 225. The Beavercreek, Ohio native needed two to pass Luke Trubee (2003-06) entering his eighth start of the season. After two innings Hauschild had five strikeouts.
Dayton took the go-ahead lead with three runs in the fourth inning. Freshman A.J. Ryan hit an RBI double to tie the game at one, driving in senior C.J. Gillman from second base. Later in the inning, catcher Kuris Duggan drove in two runs provided the go-ahead run on a single to right field for a 3-1 Flyer advantage.
Gillman increased Dayton’s lead to 5-3 with a two-run homerun in the fifth inning.
Down by as much as 7-3, Charlotte rallied with 4-1 run in the last three innings and had the tying run on third base in the bottom of the ninth before senior Burny Mitchem earned the team’s first save of the season. Senior Tim Bury fanned two in a shutout eighth inning to setup Mitchem’s save. Mitchem pitched the bottom of the ninth, allowing two runs, but striking out three.
Charlotte was struck out a season-high 13 times against Flyer pitching.
Senior centerfielder Bobby Glover was inserted into the leadoff spot for the first time of the season and reached base four times on three hits and a walk. The Fort Wayne, Ind., native has reached base in all 31 games this season.
Senior shortstop Brian Blasik extended his hitting streak to12 games on two hits and two runs scored.
Reigning A-10 Pitcher of the Year Andrew Smith (3-5) received the loss after allowing six runs in 5 2/3 innings with two strikeouts. Hauschild improved to 4-1 on the mound.
Dayton and Charlotte resume a three-game series tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET.
