Wilson, N.C. - Junior T.J. Wilkie struck out a career-high 15 batters and senior Ciro Norzagaray drove in all three runs to lead 3rd-seeded N.C. Wesleyan to a 3-1 win over 6th-seeded Covenant in opening day USA South Tournament baseball action at Fleming Stadium.
Norzagaray put the Bishops up 2-0 with a two-out, bases loaded single in the second inning. The Scots cut the lead in half on a Z Arima RBI-single in the seventh, but Norzagaray countered with another two-out RBI in Wesleyan's half of the frame.
The 3-1 advantage was more than enough for Wilkie (4-2), who was spectacular on the mound in the complete-game effort. Wilkie, whose 15 Ks were just three shy of the conference tourney record, scattered just four hits and walked three on the night. Covenant's Garrett Kriston (8-3) took the tough-luck loss, allowing three runs on nine hits with seven strikeouts over eight innings of solid work.
Offensively, Arima finished 2-for-4 for the Scots, while Norzagaray went 3-for-4 for Wesleyan.
The Bishops (23-16) will face 7th-seeded Huntingdon on Friday afternoon at Bauer Field in the winner's bracket. Covenant (20-16) will now take on 2nd-seeded LaGrange at 1:00pm Friday in an elimination game at Fleming.