Buena Vista, V.A. - N.C. Wesleyan opened its three-game conference series with an 8-7 victory over Southern Virginia on Friday afternoon at Charlie Manuel Field, holding off a late rally to secure the win. The Battling Bishops totaled 14 hits and built an early lead that proved to be just enough down the stretch.

Wesleyan struck first in the opening inning when Jake Flowers drove in a run with an RBI single, and the offense continued to produce in the second as Schumata Brown delivered a two-RBI single to extend the lead. The Bishops added another run in the third on an RBI single from Brady Williams, pushing the advantage to 4-1.

The momentum continued in the fifth inning as Wesleyan broke the game open. Banks Hartman and Jake Flowers each recorded hits before Williams delivered another RBI single, and Kyle Brazaeu followed with a two-RBI single to cap a three-run inning that stretched the lead to 7-1. Wesleyan added what proved to be a crucial insurance run in the seventh on a sacrifice fly from Caleb Elias to make it 8-1.

Southern Virginia mounted a strong comeback in the seventh inning, scoring six runs to cut the deficit to 8-7, but the Bishops' bullpen held firm. Jackson Pavone closed out the final two innings without allowing a run to earn the save and secure the conference-opening win.

At the plate, Williams led the way with three hits and two RBIs, while Flowers added two hits and an RBI. Hartman reached base four times and scored twice, and Brown drove in two runs in the early innings. On the mound, Colby Lewis earned the win with six solid innings, allowing just one run, before Preston Workman and Aaron Holley bridged the gap to Pavone, who sealed the victory.