May 22, 2008

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CAMDEN, N.J - Atlantic 10 Co-Player of the Year Chris Taylor homered to snap a 4-4 tie as part of a seven-run fifth inning as second-seeded Charlotte turned aside No. 3 Duquesne on Thursday afternoon, 13-7, at the 2008 Atlantic 10 Baseball Championship at Campbell's Field.

Vying to become the first program to win consecutive titles since Virginia Tech in 1999-00, the 49ers (41-14) will square off against No. 5 Rhode Island on Friday at 12:00pm, with the winner advancing to Saturday's final round. The Dukes (25-28-1) will take on fourth-seeded Temple on Thursday evening in an elimination game for both teams.

Taylor's league-leading 19th home run of the season, the highest single-season total since Richmond's Vito Chiaravalloti slugged 23 in 2002, was one of six hits in the inning by the 49ers off Duquesne sophomore starter Paul Bugajski (5-4). Senior O'Brien Taylor and designated hitter Rob Lyerly each added two-run singles in the fifth for the 49ers, who have scored in double digits in each of their last four Championship games, dating back to last season.

"We felt like we hadn't played for about a month and a half. We played Saturday versus Rhode Island and then had a really good practice Monday but Thursday's a long time," said Charlotte head coach Loren Hibbs, who has guided the 49ers to consecutive 40-win seasons for the first time in program history.

"Duquesne is a dangerous team and can really swing the bats and I'm just proud of our guys and their effort today."

Charlotte jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the bottom of the third with five hits in the inning, highlighted by a two-run single to center by junior Alan Parks. The Dukes stormed back with four runs in the fifth off of 49ers freshman Joe Yermal, which included a two-run double by centerfielder Bill Torre and a RBI groundout by freshman Andrew Heck. Both teams scored two runs apiece in the eighth before junior righthander Sam Pierce pitched a scoreless ninth to preserve the 49ers' fourth consecutive win in the Championship.

All nine starters had at least one hit and scored a run for Charlotte, with senior Alex Burt and second baseman Corey Shaylor leading the attack with three hits apiece. It marked the fifth three-hit performance of the season for Shaylor, the 2008 Atlantic 10 Rookie of the Year.

"I felt real comfortable today. I was seeing the ball a lot better today than I have been the past couple games," said Shaylor, who ranks sixth on the team with 62 hits.

"I felt real good."

Charlotte freshman rigthhander Kelly McLain allowed three runs on six hits over 3.2 innings to improve to 7-0 on the year in relief of Yermal, who fanned four in 4.1 innings pitched. Senior Pat Kimutis and Morrison led the Dukes with three hits apiece, while Kimutis and leftfielder Mike Carroll each scored two runs.

For complete coverage of the 2008 Atlantic 10 Baseball Championship, log on to www.atlantic10.org