MONTGOMERY, Ala. – Freshman Ricky Gannett (Newark, Del./St. Mark's) had two hits and knocked in three in his collegiate debut as No. 20 Randolph-Macon defeated Rhodes 6-3 in the season opener for both teams.

The Basics

Score: #20 Randolph-Macon 6, Rhodes 3

Location/Venue: Montgomery, Ala./Posey Field

Records: R-MC 1-0, Rhodes 0-1

How It Happened:

• R-MC would get on the board in the bottom of the first. Senior Ryan Duphorn (Erial, N.J./Paul VI) drew a leadoff walk and moved to second on a single by Gannett. A flyout by senior Mike Nickles (Stafford, Va./Colonial Forge) sent Duphorn to third. A sacrifice fly to center by senior Reece Yeargain (Chester, Va./Benedictine) plated Duphorn with the season's first run.
• The Yellow Jackets added to their lead in the third. Gannett was hit by a pitch with one away and Mike Nickles homered to right to give R-MC a 3-0 advantage.
• R-MC doubled its score in the fourth. Senior Grant Huckestein (Manassas, Va./Woodbridge) had a leadoff single and moved to second on a passed ball. Sophomore Spencer Pietruszynski (Williamsburg, Va./Jamestown) was plunked with two away and Duphorn drew a walk to load the bases. Gannett greeted the new pitcher by clearing the bases with a double to make it 6-0.
• The Lynx scored twice in the fifth and one in the ninth to make the final 6-3.

By The Numbers

• Gannett went 2 for 3 with one run and three RBI. Duphorn walked twice and scored a pair.
• Senior Matt Nickles (Stafford, Va./Colonial Forge) was the starting pitcher, going 4.1 innings with two hits, two runs, five walks and nine strikeouts. Senior Tyler Dunn (Salisbury, Md./Bennett) got the final two outs of the fifth. Senior Michael Zubovich (Chantilly, Va./Freedom) picked up the win, going the final four frames with four hits, one run, no walks and five punchouts.