DAYTON, Ohio – The University of Dayton baseball team fell in its series opener with Alabama A&M Saturday, 4-2.

Dayton was the first team to score with an RBI single by sophomore Matt Poland in the bottom of the first on a well-executed hit and run. The Flyers continued their attack in the inning with another RBI single, this time by senior Zach Schira for a 2-0 lead.

Alabama A&M responded with a pair of runs in the top of the second with four hits and two Dayton errors. A solo home run in the third put the Bulldogs on top, 3-2.

The visitors added to their advantage in the fourth with another run, pushing the margin to two in favor of A&M.

In the end, the two-run lead would be all the Bulldogs would need to hand the Flyers a 4-2 loss.

Dayton had eight hits from eight different batters in the game, but left eight runners stranded in the effort. Poland and Schira provided the RBIs.

Starter Charlie Dant (L, 1-9) tossed 6 1/3 innings before giving way to the bullpen, and allowed three earned runs while striking out four. Reliever Ben Polansky threw 2 2/3 shutout innings to keep UD within striking distance.

The Flyers (12-32) will finish up their weekend on Sunday with a 12 p.m. game against the Bulldogs.