Rocky Mount, NC - On a picture-perfect evening for baseball at Bauer Field, the Battling Bishops fell to Bridgewater 3-2 in a pitcher's dual. Junior Dylan Cheeley earned the opening day start for Wesleyan and looked terrific on the bump. In four innings of work, the righty from Florida struck out eight Eagles and only allowed three hits. Cheeley's fastball would also clock in as high as 95 MPH in the second and third innings.

The Basics:
Score: N.C. Wesleyan 2, Bridgewater 3
Location/Venue: Rocky Mount, NC / Bauer Field
Records: N.C. Wesleyan (0-1, 0-0 USA South), Bridgewater (1-0, 0-0 ODAC)

Pitching Decisions:

Win: #22 Reid Long (Bridgewater, 1-0)
Loss: #34 Dylan Cheeley (N.C. Wesleyan, 0-1)
Save: #28 Caleb Penner (Bridgewater, 1)

In relief for Wesleyan was 2023 Coastal Plain League All-Star Cord Butler. With a devastating slider that had tremendous movement, Butler would put up his best career outing as a Battling Bishop. Finishing the game and tossing five innings, he struck out an incredible eleven hitters. In his five innings on the bump, Butler only allowed two hits and walked three.

On offense, Wesleyan struggled to find holes and get timely hitting. The first RBI of the season came off the bat of Blake Scott who got a big hit in the third with a runner in scoring position and two outs. The big hit would put the Battling Bishops within a single run. In the 6th, Colin Scoggins would launch the first homer of the year in response to an Eagle run in the top of the inning.

The moonshot to left would make the score 3-2, which would be the final.

Up Next:

The Battling Bishops and Eagles will conclude the two game opening weekend series on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is scheduled for 1:00 PM.