BEREA, Ky. – The Berea College baseball team erased a 10-run deficit to walk away with a 16-15 win over Mount St. Joseph on Wednesday night.

Freshman Michael Vazquez had a big night for the Mountaineers as he finished the contest batting three-for-six with four RBIs, and a home run. Fellow freshmen Marcelo Manrique and Justin Brown played a big role as well with three RBIs apiece with Manrique also hitting a home run.

The Lions took the lead early behind three runs in the top of the first inning. The Mountaineers managed the early damage as an RBI single by Vazquez scored freshman A.J. Wylie to trim the deficit down 3-1. Mount St. Joseph retook a three-run lead in their half of the second inning with an RBI single of their own.

The Mountaineers cut into the lead as they outscored the Lions 2-1 over the next two and a half innings behind a home run from freshman Kire Tribble and an RBI single by Brown to trail 5-3 exiting the fourth inning.

It looked as if the Lions were about to take complete control of the match as they scored eight runs over the duration of the fifth and six innings to take a 10-run advantage. However, the Mountaineers were ready for the fight as they rallied with 11 runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to climb back.

Vazquez began the big inning with an RBI single to bring home freshman Nick McLaughlin before Manrique put the stamp on the inning with a three-run home run to pull Berea closer 13-7. The flood gates were busted open as an RBI single by freshman Jordan McVey and a two-RBI single by Brown trimmed the deficit 13-10.

The Mountaineers pulled to within one run as McLaughlin score on an error by the Lion's shortstop before Vazquez hammered a two-run home run out of centerfield to give Berea a 14-13 lead to cap off the fantastic inning.

Mount St. Joseph maintained its composure as they drew even in the top of the eighth. However, with two outs in the bottom of the eighth inning, the Mountaineers caught a break as they scored two runs on an error by the Lion's first baseman to take a 16-14 lead. The Lions pulled to within one with an RBI single in the top of the ninth, but the Mountaineers were able to handle their business as they rally to complete the comeback with a 16-15 victory.

Freshman Stephano Gomez earned the win on the mound for the Mountaineers as he pitched three innings while only giving up three hits and struck out two batters.

The Berea College baseball team returns to the diamond on Saturday as they resume conference play with a weekend series against Piedmont University. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. at the Berea College Sports Complex.