The Canisius baseball team left 11 runners on base and struck out 12 times while committing two errors in a 6-0 loss to Charlotte in the series opener on Friday.

Charlotte got on the board with two runs in the bottom of the first inning. The Griffs responded by getting two runners on with two outs in the top of the second, but Charlotte starter Ryan Butler got a fly out to end the inning. Canisius continued to apply pressure in the third with senior Ronnie Bernick led off with a walk and sophomore Anthony Massicci reached on an error. After a sacrifice bunt moved the runners into scoring position, Butler got senior Jimmy Luppens to pop out for the second out of the inning. A walk to junior Jesse Puscheck loaded the bases, but senior Jesse Kelso flew out to center on the next pitch to end the threat.

Charlotte (1-1) took advantage of a throwing error in the fourth to score an unearned run. In the fifth, the 49ers added two more runs, one of them unearned on a passed ball, to build a 5-0 lead. The Griffs didn't get their first hit of the game until the sixth and had two baserunners in the seventh and eighth innings. Canisius couldn't take advantage of those opportunities as the Griffs were 1-for-16 with runners on base in the game.

Sophomore Alex Godzak (0-1) took the loss for the Griffs, allowing 10 hits (nine singles) in five innings. The lefty gave up five runs (three earned), walked one and struck out one. Godzak induced two double plays to limit the damage by the Charlotte offense. Freshman Zachary Trumpler threw two innings of relief, allowing one run, while junior Tyler Vavra threw a scoreless eighth inning in his Canisius debut.

Butler picked up the win for Charlotte, throwing six scoreless innings, walking four and striking out seven. Two Charlotte relievers combined to complete the shutout.

The teams will resume the series on Saturday, with first pitch at Robert & Mariam Hayes Stadium set for 1 p.m.

Game Notes: Massicci his first appearance in the leadoff spot in the lineup. The Ithaca, N.Y. native reached base twice in five plate appearances... Canisius and Charlotte met for the first time since the 2006 season... Canisius has struck out eight or more times in all four games this season. The Griffs didn't strike out eight or more times in back-to-back games last season... The Griffs were shut out in a non-conference game for the first time since a 1-0 loss to Le Moyne on May 4, 2011.