Central, S.C. – The Warriors won 3-2 in their home opener against the Montreat College Cavaliers on Friday evening.

The Warriors were led in hits by senior right fielder Drew Carson with three hits in the first game of the three game series.  He was followed by Quinton Bent with two hits.  Bent and Avery Mahon both had an RBI in the Warrior win.  Both Carson and Bent hit a double during the game.  On the bases, John Garrett and Bent both stole a base during the game.

On the mound, Mike Batten started for the Warriors and went 6.2 innings, facing 28 batters and throwing 99 pitches on Friday night.  Batten allowed two runs during the evening.  Josh Core came in for the ninth inning to close the games for the Warriors and received his first save of the season.

Game Vitals

Final: Southern Wesleyan 3, Montreat 2

Record: Southern Wesleyan (1-0 / CC 0-0), Montreat (0-1)

Coach Gillespie Says…

"Opening Day is always special and it's good to get a win.  Always good to see immediate positive results after a long fall, but it's a marathon and we must keep pressing on.  I thought Mike Batten pitched really well, got us almost seven innings, great quality start.  Our pen pitched great, no hits allowed.  We played well in the field, made some great plays, but more importantly the routine plays were made.  That's important.  Drew Carson had a solid day at the plate and Quinton Bent as well.  Now it's on to game two.  Consistency is what we strived for all fall and we need to come out tomorrow and have another solid day."

How It Happened

The Warriors struck first in the game against the Montreat Cavaliers on Friday night in the bottom of the fourth inning.  The inning started with a single by Drew Carson.  Carson was advanced to second on a single by Quinton Bent.  Julio Justo grounded out, but Carson and Bent were both able to advance and Avery Mahon came up to bat.  Mahon singled to drive in Carson.  However, the Cavaliers struck back in the top of the fifth on a single by Danny Fernandez to driving in Ricardo DeArmis and tie the game 1-1.

Montreat lengthened their lead to 2-1 in the top of the sixth inning.  With the bases loaded, Nick Bray walked to allow Grayson Snipe to cross the plate.  The Warriors recovered to end the inning on a double play to get the men on second and third out and allow Southern Wesleyan to come up to bat.  In the bottom of the sixth, Quinton Bent doubled to drive in senior Drew Carson to tie the game at two.

Both Warriors and Cavaliers were scoreless until the bottom of the eighth.  Shortstop John Garrett singled to start the inning and was advanced to second on a single by Carson.  Bent reached on a fielder's choice to advance Garrett to third, but Carson was out at second.  With Julio Justo up to bat, Garrett stole home to give the Warriors a 3-2 victory over the Cavaliers.

What's Next

The Warriors will return to the Con on Saturday, February 3 to take on the Montreat Cavaliers in a double header to end the series.  They will remain home at the Con on February 8 and will take North Georgia.  Southern Wesleyan will then travel to Francis Marion to take on a three game series starting on February 10.