HICKORY, N.C. - Andrew Patrick struck out a season-high 11 batters, Drew Yniesta went deep for the third time this season, Wade Cuda had another multi-hit game, and No. 24 Lenoir-Rhyne Baseball is off to its best start since 1952 as the Bears grabbed an 8-5 win over Georgia Southwestern in the series opener at Durham Field. That 1952 team also started the season 14-1. Cole Laskowski got on base in four out of five plate appearances and added two runs scored as well.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP
Final: No. 24 Lenoir-Rhyne 8, Georgia Southwestern 5
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (14-1), Georgia Southwestern (4-8)
Location: Hickory, N.C. | Durham Field

STATS AND INFO

• The Bears started fast again, with Patrick retiring the side in order in the 1st inning, and then Yniesta knocking a two-run home run over the left field fence to drive in Laskowski.
• The Hurricanes answered right back in the top of the 2nd when they had a leadoff ground-rule double, followed by a walk and a three-run home run by Joshua Newton. Newton's home run was just the second homer Patrick has given up this season. 
• The Bears threatened in the 3rd when the first two men (Cuda and Laskowski) singled, but the Hurricanes turned an inning-ending double play to end the threat. 
• The score remained 3-2 until the 5th, when David Bell started the inning out with a triple, the third of the season for LR. 
• Bell was knocked in by an RBI single from Cuda, who picked up his 19th RBI of the season already. Laskowski then bunted for a hit, and that chased Georgia SW starter Dalton Cameron. 
• Yniesta then was hit by a pitch, and Luis Atiles continued his magnificent season at the plate with a two-run single to make it 5-3 Bears. LR would not trail again. 
• Nick Clarno then singled to score Yniesta, and Scott Meitzler recorded an RBI groundout to round out the five-run inning for LR.
• Laskowski added an RBI single in the 6th, driving in Cuda to make it 8-3.
• Spencer Floyd pitched a perfect 7th inning after Patrick exited.
• The Hurricanes added two runs in the 8th, one of which was unearned. 
• Ben Friebel got his 10th career save pitching a scoreless 9th.
• Patrick finished pitching six innings, allowing just the two hits in the 2nd inning. He also had four walks and 11 strikeouts, the most he's had in a start this season. 

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE

• With the win, Patrick moves to 4-0 on the season in four starts, tying him for No. 1 in the nation in wins. He leads the SAC in that category as well. 
• With a 2-for-3 night, Cuda raises his batting average to a staggering .520 in 14 games. That is No. 1 in the nation among players with 45 or more at-bats. 
• LR remains undefeated on this 13-game home stand (11-0). 
• Bear starting pitchers move to 10-1 on the season. Joshua Lanham will look to match Patrick's fourth win in his start tomorrow. 
• With his 3-for-4 day, Clarno becomes the fifth LR player to have a batting average better than .400 on the season.
• 10 of Atiles' 12 RBIs this season have come with two outs. 

UP NEXT: The Bears and Hurricanes will play a doubleheader tomorrow starting at 1 p.m. at Durham Field.