Belmont, N.C. – The Lenoir-Rhyne Baseball Team (1-0) opened the 2017 campaign with a 6-1 victory over No. 10 Belmont Abbey (0-1) Wednesday afternoon at Abbey Yard.

Lenoir-Rhyne hit three home runs – coming off the bats of sophomore outfielder Justin Dean (Mauldin, S.C.), sophomore designated hitter Josh Kent (Winston-Salem, N.C.) and senior third baseman David Newcomer (Archdale, N.C.) – in the victory.

Newcomer's round-tripper was a three-run shot in the top of the sixth inning with the Bears holding a 2-1 edge in the contest.

Dean finished with three hits while senior Thomas St. Clair (Winston-Salem, N.C.) (1-0) earned the win after striking out nine batters and senior John Curtis (Lenoir, N.C.) pitched four scoreless innings for the save.  Belmont Abbey's Cameron Busby (Augusta, Ga.) (0-1) earned the loss.

Lenoir-Rhyne hosts Glenville State (West Virginia) in its home opener in a doubleheader Saturday afternoon at 1:00 p.m., at Bears Field.  Belmont Abbey hosts Newberry on Friday beginning at 4:00 p.m.