For immediate release – 2/6/2016 - #270
Hornet Baseball Opens 2016 Campaign at NC Wesleyan

ROCKY MOUNT, NC – The Lynchburg College baseball team opened its 2016 season Saturday at North Carolina Wesleyan College, dropping both ends of a non-conference doubleheader 8-0 and 2-1. Both contests were seven innings.

The Hornets couldn't get much going off of Battling Bishop starter Ryan Grant in the opener, as he scattered four hits and three walks and didn't allow an extra-base hit. Trey Croom went 3-4 with three RBI, while James Lovett and Dillon Moore each had two hits. NCWC had three runs in the third and sixth innings and two in the fourth.

Lynchburg got on the board first in the nightcap, going ahead 1-0 in the top of the third inning. Griffin Wild and Tyler Johnson led off the inning with walks and Matthews Stevens followed with a bunt single. Wild scored on a double play grounder but the hosts were able to escape the inning with no more damage. Luis Palencia drew a one-out walk for the Bishops in the bottom of the third. He stole second and third base and scored on a sacrifice fly to tie the game. North Carolina Wesleyan scored what turned out to be the winning run in the bottom of the fourth off another sacrifice fly. The Hornets had runners on the base-paths in each of the final four frames but couldn't push the tying run across the plate.

Hornet starter David Goulding threw a three hitter for LC and walked three in five innings of work with three strikeouts. Trevor Martin tossed a perfect inning of relief. Joe Tomasulo collected two hits, a double and a stolen base for Lynchburg, Matthew Stevens had two hits and Johnson drew two walks.

TJ Wilkie earned the win for N.C. Wesleyan (2-0) while Ciro Norzagaray picked up the save.   

The Hornets (0-2) travel back to North Carolina next weekend to face William Peace University Saturday and Greensboro College Sunday. Saturday's action is a nine-inning single game, Sunday's play will be two seven inning contests.

###