CARY, NC – The William Peace University baseball team hosted Ferrum College Friday night for the first of three games this weekend. The Pacers clung to a 1-0 lead through four innings, but Ferrum scored six runs in the seventh on their way to a 9-1 win.

Leadoff man Easton Payton scored WPU's lone run, reaching on an infield single in the bottom of the first and scoring on an error. Payton was one of three Pacers with multiple hits, finishing 2-for-4 with a walk. Trey Hogan went 2-for-4 with a walk, while Mikey Anerton added two hits as well.

Payton, Hogan and Anerton hit 1-2-3 in the lineup Friday night, but they didn't get much help after that. WPU (7-12, 0-4 USAS) had their chances but stranded 13 base runners. Nick Cole was the only other Pacer to record a hit.

Trevor Pence (1-3) was pinned with the loss despite a solid outing. Pence gave up four runs and struck out nine in six innings plus.

Jake Perkins (4-1) earned the win for the Panthers (12-6, 4-0 USAS), giving up one unearned run on four hits, three walks and six strikeouts. 

Lucas Stevers went 3-for-4 with an RBI, and four other Panthers registered two hits apiece, including Austin Winkles, who reached base three times, scored twice and drove in a run on a solo home run in the top of the fifth.

The WPU baseball team will be back at the USA Baseball National Training Complex Saturday afternoon for games two and three against Ferrum starting at 2:00 p.m.

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