HIGH POINT, N.C. – High Point jumped out to an early lead Saturday and scored late to pull away as the Panthers evened their series with the UNCG baseball team via a 12-2 victory at Williard Stadium.

The Spartans (1-1) committed five errors and hit into three double plays while HPU (1-1) out-hit the Blue and Gold 12-8.

Senior RHP Brennen James took the loss in his first start of the season, allowing three runs of which none were earned. He walked three and struck out two. In all, eight Spartans made an appearance on the mound. Tyler Britton recorded the win for High Point, going five innings and allowing just two runs (one earned). He walked one and struck out a batter.

Senior infielder Eric Kalbfleisch turned in a strong showing at the plate, notching three hits and scoring a run. Senior outfielder Tyler Long accounted for the other run scored. 

After the Spartans went down in order in the top of the first, High Point struck first with an unearned run on two hits and an error to take a 1-0 lead after an inning. UNCG responded in the next half inning as Kalbfleisch led off with a double to left center and moved to third on a passed ball. Junior infielder Collin Woody then drove him home with a sac fly to knot the score.

James ran into trouble in the bottom of the second as with one away, a walk, single and fielding error loaded the bases for High Point. He struck out Williamson for the second out, but walked Spencer Angelis to plate the Panthers' second run. James then induced a groundout to escape further damage.

Another unearned run for High Point on a James wild pitch made the score 3-1 in the bottom of the third, but the Spartans put up a rally in the top of the fourth. Three-straight singles by Long, senior infielder Hunter King and Kalbfleisch loaded the bases with no outs for Woody. Unfortunately, he hit into a double play, but Long did score on the play to cut the HPU lead to 3-2. Senior designated hitter Aaron Wright then put a charge into one and hit it deep to right field, but it fell just short of the track and into the fielder's glove for the final out.

UNCG brought on freshman RHP Daniel Dulaney to pitch the bottom of the fourth and he was greeted with a leadoff single by Dane McDermott. The Panthers would score two runs in the inning on a groundout and RBI single to extend their advantage to 5-2.

The Blue and Gold tried to put together a two-out rally in the top of the fifth, but after Shelton reached on an error, senior outfielder Zac MacAneney grounded out to end the half inning. King drew a one-out walk in the top of the sixth before Kalbfleisch drove a single to left center. UNCG could not bring the runners home, however, as Woody flew out and Wright struck out to terminate the threat.

A failed pickoff attempt by junior RHP Keaton Haack led to a bases loaded situation for the Panthers in the bottom of the frame, but sophomore LHP Julian Abreu and freshman RHP Cody Fitch were able to combine for a fielder's choice and a strikeout to keep HPU off the board. 

The Spartans looked to take advantage in the seventh, but freshman infielder Tripp Shelton grounded into UNCG's third double play of the game as the game hit the stretch with the Panthers holding onto their three-run lead.

HPU established some more breathing room with two outs in the bottom of the seventh as RBI single and the Spartans' fifth error of the day allowed two runs to cross and make the score 7-2. MacAneney gave the Blue and Gold a spark with a leadoff double in the top of the eighth, but he only reached third before the half inning came to a close.

High Point closed the scoring in the bottom of the eighth, tallying five runs on three hits.

Weather permitting, UNCG returns home Monday to host the final game of the series. The Spartans and Panthers will begin the proceedings at 4 p.m. inside the UNCG Baseball Stadium.