Box Score

WILMINGTON, N.C. – Eastern Kentucky's baseball team tied the game on an eighth inning two-run home run in its season opener, but UNC Wilmington scored in the ninth to win 5-4 on Friday at Brooks Field.
 
In his second Division I at bat, Tyler Romanik tied the game with one swing in the top of the eighth inning.  Alex Holderbach singled to center with one out.  With two outs, Romanik stepped to the plate, having already grounded out as a pinch hitter in the sixth.  With an 0-1 count, the transfer from State College of Florida sent the ball over the wall in left field to tie the game 4-4.
 
Zack Canada began the bottom of the ninth by drawing a walk.  He moved to second on a passed ball and to third on an error.  With one out, Noah Liles hit the ball to second and the Colonels tried to turn the double play to end the inning, but the relay throw to first was not in time and Canada scored the game winner.
 
EKU led 1-0 and 2-1 early in the game.
 
Chris Botsoe led off the game by drawing a walk and then scored three batters later when Holderbach singled to center field.  After UNCW tied the game in the bottom half of the first, the Colonels (0-1) took the lead again in the second inning.
 
Brenden Overton got the frame started with a single through the left side.  He moved to second on a sacrifice bunt and then scored when Botsoe singled to third base, giving Easter a 2-1 advantage.
 
The Seahawks (1-0) scored three times in the bottom of the third inning to take a 4-2 lead.  Kep Brown tied the game with an RBI single to center.  Mason Berne's run scoring single to third base capped the inning.
 
Overton and Holderbach each finished 2-for-4.  Romanik was 1-for-2 with a run and two RBIs.
 
Aaron Ochsenbein started for Eastern Kentucky and allowed three earned runs on seven hits in three innings of work.  He walked one and struck out three.
 
Senior Casey Collins (0-1) was stellar in relief.  He tossed five innings of one hit ball.  He gave up a lead-off walk in the bottom of the ninth, which would ultimately score, before leaving the game.  He walked three and struck out five.
 
EKU will face Lehigh on Saturday at 10 a.m. in Wilmington.  That game time has been changed from the original schedule because of weather concerns.