MISENHEIMER, N.C. - The Brevard College Tornados Baseball team (6-15, 1-11 USAS) fell in conference action to the Pfeiffer Falcons (13-4, 7-3 USAS), 4-1, in a series-opening contest on Friday evening.
The Falcons used a three-run first inning to push themselves to the USA South victory over the Tornados.
Ben Melton got the starting nod for game one in the weekend three-game series for the Tornados, pitching five innings of eight-hit, three-run ball, with all three runs coming in the first inning. Melton struck out seven batters in his five innings of work.
Pfeiffer benefited from a strong performance on the mound from Nick Richmond, who allowed just one run on two hits in five innings of work. Cameron Reid earned the save for the Falcons, pitching one and two-thirds innings of one-hit ball.
The Falcons put together a crucial two-out rally in the bottom of the first inning to take a 3-0 lead. Pfeiffer's Chaston Gordon hit a two-RBI double down the right-field line, pushing across its first two runs. Pfeiffer's Ira Dorin hit an RBI single to push its lead to 3-0.
The Tornados went hitless until Brae Wooten connected for an RBI single in the top of the fifth inning, scoring Josh Van Liew to cut Pfeiffer's lead to 3-1.
Brevard threatened in the sixth with two baserunners, but it was to no avail as Pfeiffer maintained its 3-1 advantage.
The Tornados left a runner on second base in the seventh frame before Pfeiffer extended its lead, 4-1, in the bottom of the eighth inning with a Mason Striplin RBI single.
Three-straight BC groundouts ended the contest in favor of the Falcons, 4-1.
The Brevard Baseball team returns to action in game two of its three-game set against Pfeiffer on Saturday at 6 p.m. in Misenheimer, N.C.
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