Box Score
SPARTANBURG, S.C. – The University of Dayton baseball team finished up the Spartanburg Classic on Monday with a 4-3 win over Ball State in South Carolina.

"We made some big plays in pressure situations defensively," said head coach Tony Vittorio. "It all started with Charlie Dant pitching to contact and Bryce Lahrman doing the same."

After a dominant win over Wofford on Saturday and a tough loss to USC-Upstate on Sunday, Dayton played its first neutral contest of the weekend.

The Flyers got off to a good start defensively with pitcher Charlie Dant retiring the side in order in the top of the first on just 10 pitches.
Offensively, Dayton struggled to get things going against Ball State starting pitcher Clay Manering, who was hitless through the first two innings of the contest.

The Cardinals threatened to score in the top of the third after loading the bases with one out before a two-run double gave Ball State a 2-0 lead over Dayton.

The Flyers continued to try and get runners on the base paths whether it was through hits or walks.

In the bottom of the sixth, junior Sergio Plasencia reached via a walk, before moving to second on a bunt single by senior Robby Sunderman. Junior Alex Harris then stepped up and ripped an RBI single through the left side, scoring Plasencia. That pulled the Flyers within one at 2-1 in Ball State's favor.

Dayton was not done in the inning though. After a pitching change by the Cardinals, sophomore Aaron Huesman rocketed a pitch down the left-field line, scoring Sunderman and Harris. The Flyers now led 3-2 over Ball State.

A.J. Ryan didn't wait long to help out and hit his first pitch to right center for an RBI double, plating Huesman. Dayton went into the seventh inning with a 4-2 advantage.

Dant settled in on the mound after the two-run third and held Ball State scoreless for the next four innings.

The Flyers threatened to add to their lead in the bottom of the seventh after loading the bases with one out, but were unable to capitalize on their position.

Ball State got a run back in the top of the eighth on a solo home run by Brandon Estep on the first pitch of the inning. That would finish the day for Dant on the mound as senior Bryce Lahrman came in to pitch.

Dayton did not add to their lead in the eighth, but wouldn't need to as Lahrman closed the door on the Ball State rally. The Flyers got a crucial 6-4-3 double play in the top of the ninth to end the Cardinal threat and the ball game.

In the end, the Flyers had just enough to overcome the Cardinals for a 4-3 victory.

Dant (1-0) picked up the win after throwing seven innings, allowing three runs, and striking out four. The sophomore pitcher did not walk a single batter in the contest. Lahrman was awarded the save (S, 1) for his two shutout innings in relief. It was the first save of the senior's career.

Clay Manering (0-1) was saddled with the loss for Ball State after giving up three runs on three hits in 5 2/3 innings of work.

Atlantic 10 Co-Player of the Week Huesman led the way with two RBI, while Harris and Ryan chipped an RBI apiece. Plasencia scored a run and drew three walks. Dayton totaled 10 hits in the game and gave up just five to the Cardinals.

The Flyers (2-1) return home before heading back out on the road next weekend for the Mule Mix Classic in Nashville, Tenn.