Maroons Fall in Season Opener to Battling Bishops

Maroons Fall in Season Opener to Battling Bishops

The Basics
Score: N.C. Wesleyan 5, Roanoke 1

Records: Battling Bishops 3-0; Maroons 0-1
Location: Rocky Mount, N.C.

The Lead: The Roanoke baseball team was on the road Saturday afternoon for their season opener as they visited Rocky Mount, N.C. to take on N.C. Wesleyan. The Maroons scored in the top of the sixth inning but were not able to overcome an early deficit as NCWC won game one of the series 5-1.

Highlights:

  • The Battling Bishops scored two runs in the bottom of the first off a two-run home run to take a 2-0 lead. 
  • After a scoreless second inning for both teams, NCWC added a run in each of the third through fifth innings to extend their lead to 5-0. 
  • The Maroons got on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth. Mason Staz led off the inning reaching first off a Battling Bishop error and Corey Coogan followed up with a single to left that put runners on first and second with no outs. After Jacob Bonzon grounded out to the pitcher on a swing that allowed both runners to advance, Ty Staz collected his first RBI as his older brother scored from third. 
  • Both teams' defense came alive as three total bases runners the rest of the game allowed NCWC to win game one of the series 5-1.
  • Caleb Lingenfelter got the start and went 4.1 innings, giving up seven hits and five earned runs while striking out five. Jon Rossi finished the game for the Maroons with 3.2 innings pitched striking out four, giving up zero hits or runs. 

Up next: Roanoke and NCWC will play two more games on Sunday, February 19 to finish out the three-game series, starting at 11 a.m.