Asheville, N.C. (March 4, 2016) – Mount St. Mary's scored three runs in the top of the ninth, but the comeback came up short as the Mountaineers fell to UNC Asheville, 8-5, in non-conference baseball action on Friday.

Trailing by six runs heading into the final frame, the Mount put together a three-run rally behind RBI singles from Patrick Causa and Jordan Lawson, and a groundout by Sarunas Matalavage that scored Causa. Eric Whitecavage was able to get Dalton Clouser on a groundout for the final out of the contest as Asheville escaped with an 8-5 victory.

Causa and Lawson each went 2-for-4 in the game with an RBI apiece to lead the Mountaineer offense, while Ryan Owens, Brendan Dabagian and Clouser accounted for the team's other hits.

Joe Tietjen posted a 4-for-5 line with a homer and five RBI to power the Asheville offense, while Danny Wilson chipped in with three hits and one RBI.

Mount St. Mary's struck first in the contest, scoring a run in the top of the second on a Chris Wessels sac fly to center to score Causa. Asheville responded with a pair of runs in the second and third frames to take a 4-1 advantage. Tietjen and Scott Kobos each hit solo homers in the second.

The Mountaineers cut into the deficit in the sixth as Clouser touched home on an error, but Asheville answered with four runs in the bottom half of the inning to take a six-run advantage, 8-2.

The Mount's late rally in the ninth wasn't enough as they eventually fell by an 8-5 final.

Kevin Myers took the loss on the bump for the Mount, allowing four earned in 2.2 innings. Mountaineer relievers Hunter Shuff, Josh Little and Austin Bonadio combined to throw 5.2 innings with no earned runs and four strikeouts. Joe Zayatz collected the win for Asheville, pitching eight strong with seven strikeouts and one earned run.

The Mount and Asheville are set for game two of the three-game series on Saturday (March 5) at 1 p.m.