CENTRAL, S.C. – A big first inning for Toccoa Falls held up as Southern Wesleyan dropped their second straight to open the season, 5-2 against the Eagles.

Toccoa Falls scored three times in the first with five hits against SWU starter Matt Buss to take an early lead. The Eagles had three straight hits to start the game, scoring the first run on a double by Ronnie Stewart. After a sac fly from Danny Turnbull, Tray Hill followed with a double to right to score another run. Another double put runners at second and third before Buss got two fly outs to escape the inning.

The Warriors (0-2) got a run back in the bottom of the first as back-to-back doubles by Jason Moldenhauer and Josh Shimp plated the first run. The Warriors couldn't capitalize on the two hits with a fielder's choice and a strike out.

After Buss ran into early trouble the senior settled down to retire eight in a row before a leadoff walk in the fourth. The Eagles walked three times in that frame before Buss struck out A.J. Mussler and got Colton Roberts to bounce out to end the inning and leave the bases loaded.

Buss allowed just two hits after the first, both coming after a leadoff strike out in the sixth. Buss pitched 5.1 innings on the day, striking out six and giving up seven hits and four runs. He walked three.

Zach Breeden effectively shut down the Warriors with 11 strike outs in six innings. The righty allowed seven hits and two runs to pick up the win. The Eagles bullpen allowed just one hit in the final three innings as Roberts came in to strike out two in the ninth to earn the save.

Both teams scored a run in the sixth as Toccoa Falls scored on a rare play. The Eagles had runners at second and third with two outs. Mussler bounced a ball in the infield and Michael Sneed came across the plate before Nathan Stanley was tagged out.

In the bottom of the frame Julio Lara led off with a double to left center. After moving to third on a ground out, Lara scored on a wild pitch. The Eagles got the run back in the seventh with a solo home run by Colton Roberts.

Both Shimp and Moldenhauer had two hits in the game as Moldenhauer picked up a triple in the fifth. Moldenhauer was on base four times in five plate appearances.

The Warriors and Eagles will lock up in a doubleheader on Saturday starting at noon. Both games are slated for seven innings.