The Moravian College baseball team began its 2011 season with a 6-4 victory over host Hampden-Sydney College in the opening day of the 4th Annual Floyd B. Wilcox Memorial Tournament.

The Tigers jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first hitting with a pair of unearned runs on an RBI ground out from senior catcher Zach Harrelson and an RBI single by junior designated hitter Nick Caporale.

The Greyhounds answered with a run in the top of the second inning. Senior second baseman Jack Schweitzer led off with a single, and he scored on an RBI double from junior designated hitter Gregg Steinman, pictured at right.

Moravian took a 3-2 lead in the top half of the third with two runs. Junior shortstop Dave Zubia led off with a double and moved to third on an out. Senior outfielder Mike Zubia followed with an RBI double to score Dave Zubia, and he moved to third on a passed ball. Senior third baseman Jon Baltz hit an RBI ground out to score Mike Zubia.

The Greyhounds extended their lead to 4-2 with a single run in the fourth. Steinman singled to start the inning and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by junior catcher Blake Shortall. Sophomore outfielder Rocco Del Priore then hit an RBI single to score Steinman.

Moravian pushed the lead to 6-2 with two more runs in the top half of the fifth inning. Junior first baseman Kevin O'Keefe led off with a double and scored on an RBI single from Mike Zubia. Mike Zubia stole second base and moved to third on a ground out by Schweitzer before an RBI single from Steinman.

Hampden-Sydney in the bottom of the fifth inning when senior outfielder Herbie Williams hit an RBI single to score junior second baseman Jeb Cope with an unearned run.

The Tigers finished the scoring in the bottom of the seventh on a one-out solo home run by junior outfielder Jordan Wind.

Moravian had a 12-7 advantage in hits in the game with Steinman going three-for-five. Schweitzer and Mike Zubia were each two-for-five for the Greyhounds while Dave Zubia was two-for-four. Harrelson was two-for-four for the Tigers.

Junior Brendan Close earned the victory on the mound for the Greyhounds, allowing four runs but just one earned on six hits in seven innings on the mound. Close struck out ten batters and didn't walk anyone. Junior Kyle Longernecker earned his first save of the season for Moravian, allowing a hit and striking out three batters in two innings of work.

Freshman pitcher Kyle Pullen took the loss for Hampden-Sydney, giving up four runs, three earned, on six hits, a walk and a strikeout in 3 2/3 innings of action. Senior Kyle Grantier tossed the final 5 1/3 innings, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks with five strikeouts.