CARY, NC – The William Peace University baseball team hit the field for their season opener Friday night, hosting Southern Virginia University. The Pacers rallied to tie the game after trailing 6-0, but SVU pushed a run across in the ninth to win, 7-6.

An error committed by the Pacers in the second inning cost them three unearned runs. SVU added two more in the third and another unearned run in the fourth to jump ahead, 6-0.

WPU was the beneficiary of a three-run error after loading the bases in the bottom of the sixth. Will Cunningham singled to right, Tyler Klinedinst walked, and then Cullen Cicotte singled to left, loading them up with two outs for Nick Cole. Cole hit a grounder that got by the first baseman that brought Cunningham home. Trey Hogan came up next and made it 6-3, scoring Klinedinst and Cicotte with a base knock the other way.

The Pacers tied it up in the seventh, as Mikey Anerton singled to lead things off and eventually came around on a two-out RBI single from Cicotte. With runners on first and second, Tyler Tilson skied a ball that took the right fielder for a ride and tipped off his glove. With two-down and running on contact, Klinedinst and Cicotte both scored to even the game at six.

Mike Sgroi retired the first two SVU batters he faced in the top of the ninth before Ryan Saunders singled through the right side. Saunders stole second and scored the game-winner, as Cody Davis pulled one down the left field to drive him in.

Sgroi (0-1) threw the ball well but was pinned with the loss, striking out four and allowing just the one run on three hits in two innings of work. Trevor Pence started his first game as a Pacer but didn't factor in the decision. He surrendered five runs, only two of which were earned, on five hits, four strikeouts and three walks in three innings. Chase Roupp tossed a scoreless four innings in relief with six strikeouts.

Cicotte finished with two hits, two runs scored and a run batted in. Anerton and Cunningham both notched two hits and scored a run apiece. Hogan recorded a hit and two RBI, while Tilson added a double to lead off the fifth.  Klinedinst went hitless but did reach base three times and came around to score twice. He was plunked, drew a walk and reached on a fielder's choice.

Gage Bigelow (1-0) earned the win, shutting WPU out in the final two-and-a-third. He didn't allow a hit and struck out five. Saunders paced SVU at the dish, going 3-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. Jordan Nase went 3-for-5 and drove in a run. Davis went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Jordan Keefer drove in two runs with his only hit of the game.

The WPU baseball team is back at it tomorrow against SVU for a pair of seven-innings games. First pitch is at 12:00 p.m.

Video Coverage and Live Stats will be available for both contests.

For the latest news and updates from William Peace University Athletics, please visit: http://gopeacepacers.com/.