Rocky Mount, NC - The N.C. Wesleyan baseball team wrapped up its three-game series against No. 18 Kean on Sunday afternoon, falling 4-3 in a closely contested matchup at Bauer Field.

The Basics:
Score: N.C. Wesleyan 3, #18 Kean 4
Location/Venue: Rocky Mount, NC / Bauer Field
Records: N.C. Wesleyan (2-12, 0-0 USA South), #18 Kean (12-1, 0-0 NJAC)

The Battling Bishops produced ten hits on the day and rallied late but came up just short as the nationally-ranked Cougars held on for the series sweep.

Kean struck first in the opening frame, pushing across a run on a sacrifice fly. The Cougars added three more runs in the third, highlighted by a two-run double from Tomalavage and a run scoring on a balk to take a 4-0 lead.

Wesleyan began chipping away in the sixth when Javier Quintana launched a solo home run to left field, putting the Bishops on the board. In the seventh, the Bishops cut the deficit in half as Colin Scoggins reached on an error and advanced to third before scoring on a sacrifice fly from Jacob Trivette, making it 4-2.

The Bishops threatened again in the ninth as Marlon Bowen led off with a triple to center field and later scored on an RBI single from Malachi Hayes. However, Kean's closer Basilicate recorded the final out to secure the 4-3 win and his fourth save of the season.

Offensively, Quintana led the Bishops with a 2-for-4 performance, including his first home run of the season. Hayes also finished 2-for-5 with an RBI, while Bowen tallied a hit, scored a run, and notched his first triple of the year.

On the mound, Trent Sawyer took the loss after allowing four runs on two hits with three walks in 2.2 innings of work. Drake Hobgood turned in a strong relief performance, tossing 5.1 scoreless innings, allowing just two hits while striking out one. Mason Botbol also contributed a scoreless inning with two strikeouts.

Up Next:
The Bishops will look to bounce back on Friday as USA South play begins at Pfeiffer.