Lynchburg, Va. -- The University of Lynchburg baseball team is set for its first contests of the season on Fox Field when York visits the Hill City for three games, two on Saturday, March 1 and one on Sunday, March 2.

The No. 9 Hornets (6-1) make their season debut at home this weekend with a three-game matchup against the Spartans, which will be York's first competitions of the season. After a 2-1 record at the D3 Showcase, Lynchburg took down Mary Washington, 7-2. Gavin Collins knocked two hits in the affair and tallied three RBI. Benton Jones added two hits and scored three runs in the outing. The Hornets' pitching staff held strong with nine strikeouts and Ryan Allard came away with the win.

Since 2005, Lynchburg owns a 13-5 advantage in the series against York. The squad's met for a three-game series last year, which the Spartans got the better of, taking two of the three affairs. Prior to that series, the Hornets had won 11 consecutive games against York spanning from 2013 through 2023.

The Spartans return many of their core performers from last season. That group of veterans include two outfielders in Chris Betler and Jacob Deimling, three infielders in Michael Tinneny, Gabe Trevena and Lucas Prendergast, and seven pitchers. 

Through seven games, Jones leads the squad in OPS at a rate of 1.095. His statline includes nine scored runs, six hits, two doubles, two RBI and one home run. Pitchers have walked him in 12 of his 20 at bats. Collins leads the team in hits with an average of one for each of the squad's seven games thus far. Joe Munitz is atop the squad in RBI this season with six.

On the mound, Colin McGuire has shined with two saves, one of which came against No. 15 Cortland that helped him win an ODAC Pitcher of the Week award. Tyler Katlreider currently tops the squad in strikeouts with 14 in 12.0 innings. 

Following this weekend, the Hornets are right back into action against Pfeiffer on Tuesday, March 4 and Wednesday, March 5, both games starting at 2 p.m.

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