Charlotte, N.C. -- The Youngstown State baseball team got seven strong innings from starter Blake Aquadro and had the go-ahead run on in the ninth inning but dropped a 3-1 contest to Charlotte on Saturday at Hayes Stadium.

Aquadro allowed just three unearned runs in the fourth inning, and Erik Okleson pitched a scoreless eighth to set up a dramatic ninth.

Drew Dosch led off with a double, and Kris Moules followed with an infield single. Hunter May retired the next two batters, and left-hander Sean Geoghegan came in and walked left-handed hitter Phil Lipari to load the bases. Wes Hatley then came in and walked Dan Popio to force in a run, but Nick DiNello grounded into a fielder's choice to end the game.

Twelve different players had hits in the game, six for each team.

Charlotte's John Hamilton held the Penguins to four hits and one walk while striking out five in earning his first win.

The only runs Aquadro allowed on the day came in the fourth. He hit J.J. Elesser with the first pitch of the inning, and Shane Basen reached on a fielding error by the Penguins lefty. Aquadro then got a ground out as both runners moved up, but he had a throwing error on a bunt to allow both runs to score.  Brett Lang then singled in Brad Elwood one batter later to put the 49ers up 3-0. That was the only ball that left the infield during the inning.

Aquadro worked around a leadoff double in the sixth, and Okleson relieved him with runners at the corners and nobody out in the eighth and escaped without allowing a run.

The Penguins and 49ers will play a doubleheader on Sunday starting at 1 p.m.