GREENSBORO, N.C. – The UNC Greensboro (UNCG) baseball team's Brantley Truitt delivered a single up the middle, scoring Aidan Brewer in the 10^th inning for the Spartans to defeat Fairfield, 10-9 in its season opener at the UNCG Baseball Stadium on Friday night.

HOW IT HAPPENED
Starting pitcher, Sam Murchison held the Stags from scoring any runs in the first inning. With the bases loaded for the Spartans in the bottom of the first, Jake Ogden grounded out to the pitcher, but Zachary Walsh made it safely home for UNCG's first run (1-0).
 
With Murchison still on the mound, the Stags' bats came alive in the second inning, getting on the board with three runs on three hits for a 3-1 lead
 
Fairfield widened its lead in the top of the fifth after Dean Ferrara singled to second base, scoring Paul Catalano (4-1).
 
The Spartans bounced back in their half of the inning, scoring four runs. Trey Truitt recorded a double to right center for two RBI, scoring Brantley and Jake Wolf (4-3). With Walsh on third base, a fly out to right field from the current Spartan and Fairfield transfer, Matt Venuto, brought Walsh home, tying the game (4-4). Next in the lineup, Ogden came in for a single through the left side, scoring Trey and giving UNCG the 5-4 lead.
 
The Stags came back out in the sixth inning responding with five runs. However, this inning would be the last time the Stags would score in the game. Danny Thompson Jr. and Noah Chapman both got the opportunity to see the mound in the inning, relieving Murchison.
 
Back-to-back home runs from Trey and Caleb Cozart in the seventh inning brought UNCG back within two (9-7). The eighth inning stayed scoreless for both teams after Brandon Hudson took over for Chapman on the mound.
 
In the bottom of the ninth with the Spartans occupying all bases, a wild pitch from Fairfield's Peter Onstensen, allowed Trey to advance to second base, scoring his brother, Brantley. With bases still loaded and no outs, Venuto grounded into a double play, but Walsh was able to cross home for the tying run (9-9).
 
Luke Thomas stepped onto the mound for the extra inning, allowing only one hit and zero runs for the Stags.
 
With Mitchell Smith on second base and Brewer on third, freshman Brantley singled up the middle easily scoring Brewer for the 10-9 walk-off win.

NOTES:

• Walsh led the Spartans with three runs and three hits.
• Trey paced the team with three RBI.
• UNCG had a total of 30 putouts in the game, while Fairfield had 28.
• The Spartans recorded 10 hits for their first time recording double-digit hits since May 24, 2023 against Western Carolina.

PITCHING RECORDS:
Luke Thomas: 1-0
Peter Onstensen: 0-1
 
Records:
UNCG: 1-0
Fairfield: 0-1
 
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UP NEXT
The Spartans will stay at home for game two against Fairfield on Saturday, Feb. 17 at 2 p.m. at the UNCG Baseball Stadium. All regular season home games at the UNCG Baseball Stadium are free admission.