CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- For the third straight game Old Dominion led going into the ninth inning, but Charlotte rallied for two runs in the bottom of the ninth to steal the series opener, 4-3, on Friday evening at Hayes Stadium.
A big day from Brian Morley (2-4, 2B, HR, 2 RBI) at the plate and a strong start from true freshman Luke Krantz (4 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K) allowed the Monarchs (11-25, 2-14 C-USA) to build a 3-2 lead through eight innings, after Morley's RBI double broke a 2-2 tie in the eighth.
However, Charlotte (20-17, 8-8 C-USA) loaded the bases with one out in the ninth. The 49ers tied the game with an RBI single and then won it with a game-winning sacrifice fly.
The Monarchs pounded out 11 hits in the loss. Aside from Morley, Kyle Battle (2-5, RBI), Tommy Bell (2-4, R) and Erik Stock (2-4) also notched multi-hit games.
Game two is slated for tomorrow at 2 p.m. ET. Morgan Maguire will get the start againt the 49ers' Matt Brooks.
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