KINGSPORT, Tenn. - No. 15 Union College jumped out to an early lead before cruising to an 8-1 victory over seventh-seeded Bluefield (Va.) College in the opening round of the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament Wednesday at Hunter Wright Stadium in Kingsport, Tenn.

The second-seeded Bulldogs reeled off four runs in the first and never looked back as junior left-hander Lance Dougherty (Canyon, Texas) tossed his first complete game of the season, allowing one run on six hits and no walks. Dougherty also fanned two batters in improving his record to 7-1.

Union (38-12 overall) now moves on to face King (Tenn.) College in the next round at 9 a.m. Friday. No. 3 King defeated No. 6 Milligan (Tenn.) College 4-3 earlier in the day.

Bluefield (32-15 overall) drops to the losers' bracket to take on Milligan at 12 p.m. in Bristol, Tenn.

While Dougherty shined on the mound, Joe Grinstead (Bowling Green, Ky.) took care of business at the plate in going 3-for-5 with two doubles, three RBIs and runs scored.

Grinstead got the scoring started in the first with a two-run double. Two batters later, Josh Ehringer (Somerset, Ky.) belted a two-run home run. The four-bagger was the 12th of the season for Ehringer and the 20th for his career.

Andrew Murray launched a solo shot for Bluefield in the second, but Union scored two more in the fourth and one more in the fifth for a 7-1 advantage. In the eighth, Justin Hart (Lake Mary, Fla.) cranked a solo home run to make the final 8-1. The home run was Hart's sixth of the season and 14th of his career.

Ehringer finished the game going 2-for-5 with two RBIs and a run scored, while Lioney Henriquez (Brooklyn, N.Y.) was 2-for-5 with two runs scored and a RBI. In fact, all nine Union batters collected at least one hit as the team rapped out 13 base knocks.

For Bluefield, Murray was the only multi-hit player as he finished 2-for-4 with the home run.

Billie Mueller got the start for the Rams but lasted only one inning. Ken Misal pitched well in relief, going eight innings and giving up four runs, three earned, on seven hits and seven walks with six strikeouts.

Bulldog Notes

• This marks the third year in a row Union has won its opening round game in the AAC Tournament.
• Matt Brady extended his hit streak to nine games, which is currently the longest streak on the team.
• Ehringer has homered in each of the last three games and four of the last six.
• Dougherty's complete game was the 12th for the Bulldogs this season.