FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - The Neumann University baseball team opened their 2016 schedule with a 9-3 win over Lynchburg College at the Methodist Diamond Invitational at Methodist University Friday morning.


Cody MacNair went 3-for-4 with two runs scores in the game. Chuck Trentler was 2-for-4 with three RBI and a run scored. Eric Bergman was 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run scored.

The Knights wasted little time getting on the board in a big way with an explosive second inning. After leading off the inning with a two-strike single, MacNair advanced to second base on a balk. Just two pitches later, MacNair crossed the plate on a double to left field by Kye Williams. Bergman then dug in and plated Williams on a single up the middle. The next Neumann hitter, Nick Panassidi, laid a sacrifice bunt down the first base line to advance Bergman to second.

Following back to back walks, Trentler stepped in with one out and the bases loaded. Trentler laced a fastball down the right field line for a bases clearing double, giving the Knights a 5-0 lead heading into the third inning.

Lynchburg was able to scratch into the Neumann lead with runs in the top of the fourth and sixth innings, cutting the Knights' advantage to 5-2 going into the bottom of the sixth.

Another leadoff single by MacNair set the table for another big inning. Williams then laid a sacrifice bunt down the first base line which was mishandled by the Lynchburg pitcher. The ball was overthrown into right field advancing MacNair to third, giving Neumann runners on the corners with no outs in the frame.

Bergman's strong day continued with a single that brought in MacNair, and senior Kelvin Ortiz flared a ball into left to plate Williams two batters later.

Neumann was able to tack on an insurance run in the seventh inning, which was answered by Lynchburg in the top of the eighth. The Knights closed the door with yet another run in the bottom half of the eighth, solidifying a 9-3 lead.

The Knights benefitted from a solid defensive effort that was led by a superb outing by junior pitcher Patrick Graham. Graham held the Lynchburg lineup off-balance all day with 6.0 innings of work allowing just two hits and two runs, while striking out four. Zach Youngberg allowed one run in two innings of relief, while Bobby Sefick shut the door in the ninth inning to secure the victory for the Knights.

Neumann (1-0) will face No. 1 ranked SUNY Cortland and No. 23 Methodist University tomorrow in a doubleheader. First pitch against Cortland is set for 10:00 AM, with the matchup against Methodist coming right after.