HUNTSVILLE | The No. 15 University of Alabama in Huntsville baseball team topped No. 21 Trevecca Nazarene by a final score of 8-1 at Charger Park in a nonconference matchup on Wednesday afternoon. UAH improves to 12-5 on the year, while TNU slips to 6-3.

The Chargers totaled 13 hits in the afternoon contest, with Austin Sanders and Matt Spruill leading the way with three hits apiece. Sanders added a game-high three RBI, while Spruill paced the team with three runs scored.

Sanders led off the scoring for the Chargers with a RBI double to deep left field, followed by Trey Mathis with an infield, RBI single that plated Sanders from third for a 2-0 early lead.

After a pair of scoreless innings by UAH starting pitcher Heath McRae, Trevecca Nazarene got on the board on a RBI groundout before McRae retired the side. McRae finished the afternoon with 4.0 innings pitched, one earned run, zero walks and two strikeouts before giving way to the bullpen.

The Blue and White posted two more runs in the fifth to extend the lead to 4-1 as Michael Fox was able to score from second on an error by Trevecca Nazarene's first baseman Bryson Shelton before AJ Walden ripped a RBI single to right field.

Following another run in the sixth on a Michael Fox RBI single to right, Sanders and Walden blasted back-to-back home runs – a two-run homer for Sanders and a solo shot for Walden – in the bottom of the seventh to bring the game to its 8-1 final on Wednesday.

Sixth-year head coach Hunter Royer received a bevy of strong relief performances, as Charlie Weaver, Peyton Johnson, Gabe Gunter, Riley Camp and Austin Whitlock combined for 5.0 shutout innings with four hits allowed, two walks and four strikeouts. Gunter was credited with the win, bringing his record to 1-0 on the year.

UAH jumps back into Gulf South Conference play this weekend with a visit from Christian Brothers for a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday at Charger Park, with both days slated to begin at 1 p.m. The Chargers are one of three teams to start league play with a 5-1 GSC record.