Stephenville, TX. — The Le Moyne College baseball team dropped its season-opener at Tarleton State University on Friday afternoon at TSU Baseball Complex, 20-3. 

Five different players drove in runs for the Texans, led by catcher Sergio Guerra who had two home runs and three hits overall, drove in eight runs and walked twice. Second baseman Slade McCloud also had two home runs and three hits overall, driving in five runs, walking once and reaching base on a hit by pitch, while left fielder Rayner Heinrich recorded a home run, three runs batted in and walked twice. 

Senior right-handed starting pitcher Brian Panneton earned the victory for Tarleton State after registering three strikeouts with four hits, one walk and two runs allowed in 4.0 innings on the mound.  Sophomore left-handed reliever Jackson Elizondo limited the Dolphins to one run in two innings of relief, while senior right-handed reliever Conner Doucet closed out a scoreless final inning.

For Le Moyne, junior right fielder Jack Cannon (Webster, N.Y./Webster Schroeder) and junior shortstop Mike Whelehan (Hilton, N.Y./Hilton) each recorded two hits in the setback, with each of Cannon's knocks going for two bases and recording and driving in one run. Junior second baseman Ethan Farina (Clifton Park, N.Y./Shenendehowa/Saint Rose) recorded an RBI on a fielder's choice in the top of the fourth inning, while senior left fielder Tyler Campbell (Syracuse, N.Y./Westhill/Onondaga C.C.) drove in the Dolphins third run of the day on an rbi groundout in the top of the sixth. 

Redshirt junior right-handed pitcher AJ Petraitis (Kings Park, N.Y./Kings Park) made the start for Le Moyne, pitching two-plus innings of work and recording the loss. Sophomore right handed pitcher Nathan Hiscox (Canton, Conn./Canton) was the final of four relief pitchers for the Dolphins, striking out both batters faced in 0.2 innings of work.

Slade McCloud started the game's scoring with a solo home run to left center in the bottom of the first.

The Texans added four runs on two hits in the second frame. Following a walk by designated hitter Matt Guthmiller, Guerra blasted his first home run of the game. After a walk by right fielder Braden Gostisha in between two outs, Heinrich homered to right center.

Tarleton State exploded for 10 runs on six hits in the third inning. Following a walk by first baseman Cage McCloud and a double by Guthmiller to start the inning, Guerra singled to center to drive in the duo. Shortstop Ike Shirey reached on a bunt single and Gostisha drew another walk to knock Petraitis out of the game. After an out, Heinrich walked to force in Guerra. Slade McCloud then launched a grand slam to right. Following a walk by third baseman Carson Lorch, a single by Cage McCloud and a fielder's choice by Guthmiller, Guerra drilled another home run to left field.

The Dolphins broke through with two runs on three hits in the top of the fourth. Whelehan led off with a single up the middle, stole second, moved to third on a single to right by sophomore first baseman Dominick Russ (Horseheads, N.Y./Horseheads) and then discord on a double by Cannon. After an out and a walk by Campbell, Russ scored on a fielder's choice by Farina.

The Texans plated two runs in the fifth. Guthmiller doubled with one out and then Guerra and Gostisha walked around the inning's second out. Johnson then singled to center to plate Guthmiller and Guerra.

Le Moyne completed its scoring in the top of the sixth. Cannon led off with a double to left center, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a groundout by Campbell.

Tarleton State finished off the game's scoring with three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Slade McCloud walked, Lorch doubled and Cage McCloud was hit by a pitch to load the bases. After an out, Guerra walked to force in Slade McCloud. Shirey then singled up the middle to knock in Lorch and Cage McCloud with the final runs.

Le Moyne and Tarleton State will continue the series on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. ET/3:00 CT.