HIGH POINT, N.C. --- University of Lynchburg's baseball team topped the reigning NCAA Division III baseball runner-up Birmingham-Southern Panthers, 6-3, Friday night in the second round of the NCAA Division III High Point Regional at Truist Point. 

The Hornets found themselves in an early deficit, as the Panthers took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first. Lynchburg responded in the bottom half, as Parker Shaffer led off with a double and later scored on an RBI single from Avery Neaves. Gavin Collins later plated Neaves with a single of his own and the Hornets took a 2-1 lead.

The Panthers tied the game, 2-2, in the top of the second, but the contest did not remain tied for long. Lynchburg once again responded as Hornets took advantage of a B-SC miscue in the third inning that plated Neaves and put Collins in scoring position. Junior PJ Alvanos later plated Collins with an RBI single to put the Hornets up 4-2.

After Lynchburg added an insurance run in the fifth, five runs were plenty for starter Brandon Pond. The junior went six innings and allowed two runs, only one earned, on seven hits and struck out two to earn his ninth win of the year. Pond is now tied with six former Hornets for the second most wins in a single season for a Lynchburg pitcher.

For the second consecutive night, senior Grayson Thurman came out of the bullpen in a save situation for Lynchburg as the right-hander threw the final three frames. He allowed just one run on one hit and struck out four for his fourth save of the year.

"I'm going to take care of business and do my job," said the senior. "I came in to take care of the end of the game so we could win this."

Lynchburg's two wins thus far are the most the program has accrued in an NCAA tournament appearance since 2008. 

Lynchburg returns to the diamond on Saturday, May 29 as the Hornets take on the No. 6-ranked Salisbury University Sea Gulls on day three of the regional. The last time these two teams squared off in the NCAA tournament, the Sea Gulls got the best of the Hornets, 7-2, in the opening round. Lynchburg looks to continue its postseason success Saturday, with first pitch set for 1:30 p.m.