BURLINGTON, N.C. – No. 1/1 Shenandoah opened its defense of the USA South Conference Tournament title with a 6-2 victory over fifth-seeded Greensboro.

After Greensboro (19-19) took the early lead on an Austin Catharina solo HR to left with two outs in the first, Shenandoah (29-2) found itself in a battle.

The Hornets tied it in the third when catcher Keaton Neeb drew a walk and scored on a Greg Van Sickler double down the right field line, but the Pride again produced a two-out rally.

This time, Mike Manfro drew a two-out walk, moved to second on a Ryan Summeford single and then scored when Seth Caison singled through the left side.

The game remained that way until the seventh when SU scored a pair of runs thanks in large part to a dropped fly ball in right field.

Sophomore Nick Beall got things started with a two-out single up the middle to bring designated hitter Tucker Brown to plate. Brown lifted a lazy fly to right that Caison lost in the lights and dropped for a two-base error.

Following a Brown steal of second, Jake Pendergraft laced a two-run single up the middle to give Shenandoah the lead for good.

Greensboro had one last rally in itself, putting runners on second and third with two outs in the seventh. Hornets skipper Kevin Anderson turned to closer Kyle Scallion, and Scallion induced an inning-ending groundball to second to end the threat.

Scallion was lights out, retiring all seven batters he faced to post his fifth save of the spring.

Senior Brian Goddard (5-0) struck out six in 6 2/3 innings to get the win.

Jacob Cadle (3-5) was the loser. He allowed five runs (three earned) on 10 hits and one walk in 6 2/3.

Shenandoah faces No. 4 Averett tomorrow at 1:30 in a second round game.

Notes:  Van Sickler's first hit was the 254th of his SU career, breaking the school record previously held by Geoff Williams '00.