No. 1-seeded North Carolina Wilmington had a bye in the opening round of the CAA Baseball Tournament. But the Diamond Hawks didn't look rusty on Thursday against VCU, grabbing an early 5-1 lead through the first five innings and eventually notching the win by a final score of 8-5.
Starter Tyler McSwain, along with a three-run first inning, gave the Diamond Haws a lift. McSwain tossed 7 and one-third inning, allowing eight hits but surrendering just two runs while striking out two batters. And in the first, catcher Drew Farber doubled to left center, scoring both Thomas Pope and Andrew Cain.
The bullpen, though, would struggle, giving up four runs in the top of the eighth and ninth innings.
UNC Wilmington will play the winner of Hofstra and Delaware tomorrow at 12 p.m. EST.
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