Maryville, Tenn. - N.C. Wesleyan's baseball team opened USA South Conference play over the weekend, taking 2-of-3 on the road at Maryville College to earn the series win. Junior Nate Gardner and freshman Drew Tubb picked up wins on the mound, while sophomore Alec Titmus batted .500 (6-for-12) with a trio of runs scored over the three-game set.

GAME 1: NCWC 7, MVC 1
Saturday's opener proved to be a pitcher's dual through four innings before NCWC got on the board with a three-spot in the fifth. Brandon Wheat and Titmus each delivered RBI-singles in the frame, while Logan Andrews reached on a fielder's choice and eventually came around to score on a wild pitch. Wesleyan added four more in the seventh, highlighed by a two-run triple off the bat of Max Johnson. On the hill, Gardner (2-0) held the Scots scoreless for seven innings before giving up a solo homer in the eighth. He scattered seven hits and struck out seven over eight innings of work to secure his second victory. Luke Mills tossed a scoreless ninth in relief to seal the win.

GAME 2: MVC 10, NCWC 5
Maryville bounced back for a 10-5 win in Saturday's nightcap. Wesleyan held a 5-4 lead heading into the sixth inning, but the Scots would plate five runs on five hits and an error in their half of the frame to take a lead they would not relinquish. Brad Pennington paced NCWC with a 3-for-4 showing at the plate with two RBI, while Jackson Moseley (0-1) took the loss in the relief, allowing three runs on three hits in 1 1/3 innings. Christian Poulsen (2-0) got the win for Maryville, tossing seven innings out of the pen and allowing just two runs on six hits. 

GAME 3: NCWC 10, MVC 6
The Bishops took an early 2-1 lead in Sunday's rubber game behind a two-run single by single by Titmus in the second. Wesleyan went on to score a pair of runs in each of the fourth, fifth, and sixth innings to forge an 8-2 advantage heading into the late innings. Tubb (2-0) scattered nine hits and allowed two runs over five complete, with Maryville plating four runs after his exit. Mills came on finish out the final three innings and earn the save, allowing one hit and racking up three Ks. Johnson, Croom, and Titmus each went 3-for-5 to lead the Bishop offense.

The Bishops (6-4, 2-1 USA South) travel to Brevard College for single games on Monday and Tuesday. First pitch in both contests is slated for 2:00pm.