TYLER, Texas.—The No. 8 Birmingham-Southern baseball team opened the season on Friday afternoon with a big win against No. 7 Trinity University, winning 3-2 on Irwin Field in Tyler, Texas, as part of the Clements Fluids Classic.

It was the season opener for both teams, with BSC moving to 1-0 and Trinity falling to 0-1.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Both teams were scoreless through three innings, with the only hit coming off the bat of Trinity's Connor Moore in the bottom of the first.
• In the top of the fourth, senior Taylor McCracken led off by reaching on an error and then stealing second.
• Senior Matt Brown walked and McCracken reached third on a wild pitch on the next at-bat, before freshman Tyler Wise reached on a fielder's choice which allowed McCracken to score.
• BSC added another run in the top of the fifth, with freshman A.J. Hunt leading off with a single and then stealing second before scoring on an RBI single by junior David Scott.
• The Panthers scored their final run of the game in the top of the seventh; with two outs on the board, sophomore Brayden Housel walked and then advanced to third on a Scott single.
• After a Trinity pitching change, McCracken walked and Housel scored on a wild pitch, putting BSC up 3-0.
• Trinity loaded the bases in the bottom of the eighth, but freshman John Michael Shirley stepped onto the mound and got the final two outs.
• The Tigers finally scored in the bottom of the ninth, putting up two runs on an RBI double from Jeremy Wolf and a sacrifice fly-out by Jose Santos.
• With one out on the board and the game-tying run on second, a fielder's choice took care of the second out but also put the runner on third; a pop fly to center field would end the game, however, preserving the win for the Panthers.
• BSC had six hits, led by Scott who was 2-4 at the plate.
• Junior right-hander Ryan Gaines started and threw 7.1 innings, giving up four hits and two walks with six strikeouts.
• Shirley came in for the final 1.2 innings and allowed three hits, picking up a save in his first collegiate appearance.

UP NEXT

• The Panthers will face Texas Lutheran tomorrow at 1 p.m. CT, and Centenary on Sunday at noon CT.