FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. -- The Methodist University baseball team defeated Lynchburg, 9-3, in its home opener at Armstrong-Shelley on Wednesday evening.
 
With the win, the Monarchs improve to 2-1 on the year, while the Hornets start their season 0-1 overall.
 
MU started the scoring in the second inning as Davis Cass reached on a one-out single. He moved to second before coming around to score on an RBI triple by Parker Clayton, 1-0. Eliot Manley followed with a two-out single to score Clayton, 2-0.
 
In the top of the third frame, LC loaded the bases with one out. The runner on third scored on a groundball to short before an error on an attempted double play ball allowed another runner to score from second, 2-2.
 
Tucker Criswell started off the home half of the fourth with a double to right center and scored on an RBI single from Cass as the Monarchs moved ahead 3-2. Cass stole second and advanced on a wild pitch and scored on a Jacob Austin single up the middle. A fielding error allowed Austin to score and put Matthias Carter on first. Clay Richardson drew a four-pitch walk before Alex Kachler belted a two-out, three-run homer to cap a six-run inning as MU took an 8-2 lead.
 
The Hornets got one run back in the fifth as Thomas Powell scored from third on a grounder to short, 8-3. The Monarchs loaded the bases with two outs in the sixth and plated one run as Clayton scored on a passed ball as MU held on for a 9-3 victory.
 
Josh Robledo (ND) started on the mound throwing 2.0 scoreless innings and did not allow a hit to go with a pair of strikeouts and a walk. Tristen Luck (1-0) recorded the win after pitching 2.0 innings and yielding two runs (1 ER) on one hit and walked two. Four other pitchers took the mound for MU, and held the Hornets to just three hits in the game.
 
Matt Kane (ND) went 2.0 innings and allowed two runs on four hits with a strikeout in the start. Hunter Campbell was strapped with the loss (0-1) after giving up six runs (2 ER) on four hits, but registered four strikeouts. Three other pitchers appeared for the Hornets and held the Monarchs to just two hits.
 
Cass and Clayton each went 2 for 3 with two runs scored and an RBI, while Carter also collected a pair of hits. Seven players recorded a hit as MU totaled 10 hits on Wednesday.
 
For Lynchburg, Powell was 1 for 2 with a walk and scored twice, while Harris had two RBI but did not record a hit.
 
Methodist hosts the Armstrong/Diamond Invitational this weekend beginning on Friday, Feb. 16, against Keystone at Armstrong-Shelley Field beginning at 4 pm.