Rocky Mount, NC - The N.C. Wesleyan baseball team opened its 2025 season with a hard-fought doubleheader against nationally ranked #9 Lynchburg on Friday afternoon. Despite stellar pitching performances, the Bishops fell in both contests, dropping game one in a pitchers' duel, 2-0, before coming up just short in a 4-3 thriller in game two.

Game One: #9 Lynchburg 2, N.C. Wesleyan 0

Junior Nathanael Volk was outstanding in his first career start for the Bishops, earning the nod as the Opening Day starter. Volk tossed six innings of three-hit baseball, allowing just one earned run while striking out four against one of the top teams in the nation. The lone run off Volk came in the sixth inning when Ben Jones lifted a sacrifice fly to left field, plating Logan Webster for what proved to be the game's decisive run. Lynchburg added an insurance run in the ninth after a defensive miscue.

The Bishops' offense struggled to find momentum against Hornets' starter Tyler Kaltreider, who dominated over seven innings, striking out eight while surrendering just one hit— a single from Javier Quintana. Colin McGuire came in to close the game for Lynchburg, earning a six-out save while allowing only one baserunner via a walk.

Game Two: #9 Lynchburg 4, N.C. Wesleyan 3

The second game of the day saw more offensive action, but the Bishops once again fell just short. After a scoreless first five innings, Lynchburg struck first in the sixth as Quinn Madden scored on a passed ball to put the Hornets up 1-0. Wesleyan responded in the seventh when Jacob Trivette laced a clutch double to left center, bringing home Jackson Hobbs and Javier Quintana to give the Bishops a 2-1 advantage.

In a dramatic ninth inning, Lynchburg rallied with two outs, using a Brandon Garcia single and a Quinn Madden double to push across three runs and reclaim the lead. The Bishops refused to go down without a fight as Trivette came through once more, delivering an RBI single to left that scored Hobbs. However, NCWU's rally fell just short as the Hornets held on for the 4-3 victory.

The Bishops' pitching staff turned in another strong performance, with Preston Workman delivering a gem. Workman tossed six innings, allowing just two hits and one unearned run while striking out three on 89 pitches. Out of the bullpen, Caleb Dennis and Dylan Krol combined for 2.2 innings of relief, striking out six batters.

Up Next:

Baseball will conclude the three game set against #9 Lynchburg on Saturday morning at 10:00 AM.