Rocky Mount, NC - The North Carolina Wesleyan baseball team put up a strong fight but ultimately fell to No. 18 Kean, 17-10, in the opening game of the weekend series on Friday afternoon at Bauer Field.

The Basics:
Score: N.C. Wesleyan 10, #18 Kean 17
Location/Venue: Rocky Mount, NC / Bauer Field
Records: N.C. Wesleyan (2-10, 0-0 USA South), #18 Kean (10-1, 0-0 NJAC)

The Bishops found itself in an early deficit after the Cougars plated three runs in the top of the first inning, highlighted by a three-run home run from Tomalavage. However, Wesleyan responded quickly as Javier Quintana delivered a two-RBI single to left field, scoring Jackson Hobbs and Jacob Trivette to make it a 3-2 game after one inning.

Kean extended the lead in the second with three more runs, taking advantage of a pair of Wesleyan errors and a two-RBI single from Teixeira. The Cougars added another three runs in the fourth inning, capitalizing on a two-base error and a wild pitch to stretch the lead to 9-2.

The Bishops showed resilience in the bottom of the fifth inning, exploding for seven runs to tie the game at 10-10. Maison Nance sparked the rally with a two-RBI single, scoring Quintana and Matt Balan. Moments later, Aydin Zimmerman reached on a fielder's choice that scored Seth Jones and Nance on an error. Connor Ferebee then struck out but reached first on a passed ball, allowing Colin Scoggins to score. Balan capped off the inning by drawing a bases-loaded walk, and Ferebee scored on a wild pitch to tie the game.

Kean regained the lead in the seventh with an RBI triple from Adorno, then added four more runs in the eighth and two in the ninth to put the game out of reach.

Offensively, Nance led the Bishops with two RBIs, while Quintana added two hits and two RBIs. Balan also tallied a hit, an RBI, and scored a run. On the mound, Colby Lewis suffered the loss after allowing six runs (four earned) over 4.1 innings.

Up Next:
Wesleyan and Kean will continue the series on Saturday with game two set for a 3:00 PM first pitch.