SCHENECTADY, N.Y. – An eighth inning rally saw the Union College baseball team defeat VTSU Castleton 5-3 in the home opener for the Garnet Chargers on Wednesday afternoon at Central Park A Diamond.

Knotted at three going into the bottom of the eighth, Union scored twice in the frame to take a 5-3 lead before senior Alex Erickson closed out the ninth to secure the win for the Garnet Chargers.

Five Union batters recorded a multi-hit game in the win. Senior Dan Sheeran led the way with a 2-for-4 day, two RBIs, and a run scored. Classmate Sam Strazza registered his first homerun of the season and junior Nico Lambros added two RBIs.

After a scoreless first inning, Union opened the scoring in the bottom of the second inning. With two outs, sophomore Noah DiCaprio reached first on a throwing error by Brendan Shader. DiCaprio stole second to get into scoring position. A double by Sheeran into center field saw DiCaprio cross home. Lambros followed up with a double of his own down the left field line to make it a 2-0 game.

The visiting Spartans made it a one-run game in the top of the fourth. Back-to-back walks followed by a fielder's choice put runners on first and second with one out. A second fielder's choice moved Tyler McLain to third and the senior stole home to put the visitors on the board.

Strazza gave Union a two-run lead again in the top of the fifth. The senior homered to center field to make it a 3-1 game. Two innings later, Castleton loaded the bases. Turner Clews grounded out to third, but McLain crossed home to cut the lead to one. An RBI single in the top of the eighth for the Spartans tied the game at three apiece.

Union rallied in the bottom of the eighth inning to take the lead again. A leadoff single by senior Kyle Zaslaw saw sophomore Danny Talacci enter the game as a pinch runner. First-year Dylan Swarts added a single of his own and DiCaprio was hit by a pitch to load the bases with no outs. Sheeran lined a single to center field for the go-ahead run. After changing pitchers, Lambros hit a sac fly to center and Swarts crossed home to make it 5-3.

Senior Aidan McGee earned the win for Union and Erickson picked up his second save of the season. First-year Ryan Calvario started the midweek matchup and pitched three scoreless innings without allowing a hit.

Union returns to action on Sunday with a doubleheader against Russell Sage. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. at the Plumeri Sports Complex in Albany.