University of Dayton Athletics

DAYTON – The University of Dayton baseball team began the weekend with a 12-9 over La Salle.

The Explorers struck first, hitting a home run to left field and scoring on an error for a 2-0 lead in the second inning.

Grayson Carpenter singled through the right side in the bottom of the third inning, cutting La Salle's lead.

La Salle pulled back ahead by two in the fourth, before the FlyBoys posted a five-run fifth inning. Michael Smith Jr. hit a grand slam to right center. Jason Bello followed Smith Jr. with a solo shot to left field to make it a 6-3 game in Dayton's favor.

Smith Jr. hit a three-run home run in the sixth inning, making the score 9-4.

After La Salle hit a two-RBI double, UD scored three runs in the seventh. Tommy Ahlers Jr. doubled down the left field line. Carpenter walked in a run and then Smith Jr. recorded another RBI on a groundout for a 12-6 lead.

The Explorers hit two home runs in the ninth to cut the lead to 12-9 before Dayton ended the game.

BY THE NUMBERS
8 – RBIs for Smith Jr., good for second in program history in a single game

2 – Runs scored Carpenter, Danny MacDougall and Smith Jr.

3 – Home runs for Dayton, one for Bello and two for Smith Jr.

3 – Doubles for Ahlers Jr., Carpenter and Stang

7 – Strikeouts for the Flyers' pitching staff

UP NEXT
Game two of the series will start at 1 p.m. on Saturday, May 2.