CENTRAL, S.C. - - Host Southern Wesleyan scored nine runs off the UVA Wise bullpen to claim a 9-2 win in the season opener for both schools at Connor Field Friday.

UVA Wise (0-1) held a 2-0 lead after 4 1/2 innings of play as JoJo Kelliher scored on a passed ball in the second inning and a Gavin Birkhimer RBI groundout in the third inning staked the visitors to an early lead.

Southern Wesleyan (1-0) got within a run when DJ Ludwick's RBI single scored Ty King Richards in the fifth. The Warriors took the lead in the seventh inning with a three-run frame; the big blow came off the bat of Josh Asbill who doubled home a pair to make it a 4-2 affair.

The hosts played add-on over the final innings and effectively put the game out of reach wne Asbill cleared the bases with a three-run double in the eighth to provide the final margin of 9-2.

The Cavs had nine hits in the loss, Jude Drzemiecki and Hunter Meador had two hits each to lead the offense.

On the mound, starter Garrett Stiltner tossed four scoreless innings. The right-hander fanned a pair, issued a walk and scattered four hits over a 70-pitch outing.

Jacob Strandridge earned the mound win for Southern Wesleyan. Strandrige fired five innings of scoreless relief as he pounced out eight as part of a 13-strikeout effort for Warrior pitching.

The series will conclude with a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 1 p.m. tomorrow.