Bill Manion propelled the Panthers to a 5-4 (12 inning) victory over Dayton with a game-winning single in the season opener for both teams Friday night at Coy O. Williard Sr Stadium.

"It was a well played game from both sides," said head coach Craig Cozart.  "I am proud of the effort our guys put in, their toughness, and dedication to stay within our system allowed us to come out with a win tonight.  It was a hard fought game and a tremendous way to open up the season."

Dayton jumped out early on High Point putting one up in the third and six innings and a pair in the eighth inning for a 4-0 lead.  The first run came when Jacob Spaeth had a good at-bat driving a 3-2 pitch from High Point starter RJ Chlebnikow into left field and stole second two pitches later in the third.  He later scored on a single by Scott Dunwoody to left field to give the visitors the early lead.

Three innings later, the Flyers got their first two hitters on with Cole Tyrell drawing a walk and Aaron Dunsmore singling to right field.  A sacrifice bunt advanced the runners to third and second, respectively.  Pinch-hitter Max Navalinski grounded out to second base, but got the RBI as Tyrell scored on the play. 

UD got its final two runs in the eighth inning which seemed to put the game away.  Zach Jacob led the inning off with a single up the middle and was moved over to second on a sacrifice bunt.  Masaki Muroya came in relief of Jeremy Berg and struck out the next hitter looking on a nasty slider that caught Dunsmore looking.  HPU almost escaped unscathed but an error in left field allowed Jacob to score and Blasik to reach second.  A single by Navalinski tacked on the final run for Dayton giving them a 4-0 advantage.

With starter Burny Mitchem being relieved to start the eighth inning, the HPU offense came alive.  Pinch-hitter Rob Gilles reach first on a throwing error by Tyrell and was pinch-ran for by Spencer Andrews.  Eric Marion then singled to right field advancing Andrews up a base and a walk to Pablo Rosario loaded the bases with just one out.  Alfie Wheeler then doubled to right-center bringing in Andrews and Marion.  Dayton made a call to the bullpen and freshman Cameron Hobson registered his first college strikeout on the next hitter.  Manion then singled to right field and a miscue allowed him to advance to second.  On the play, both Wheeler and Rosario scored.

Four and a half scoreless frames ensued until the Panthers came to bat in the bottom of the 12th inning.  After a leadoff groundout, Rosario drew his second walk of the game, followed by another Wheeler single and Jeff Cowan walk.  After getting down in the count 0-2, Manion calmly stroked the game-winning hit to left field allowing Rosario to score the game-winning run.

High Point got solid pitching efforts from all five pitchers that entered the contest.  Chlebnikow made his first collegiate start tossing 5.1 innings allowing two runs while striking out four.  Berg pitched two innings allowing just one unearned run.  Muroya was solid in his first college appearances, tossing 0.2 innings and picking up a strikeout.  Corey Swickle got out of a couple of tough situations with big strikeouts before giving way to Mike Caldwell who shut the door on Dayton picking up the final two outs.

Mitchem was impressive in his first college start allowing only three hits and picking up four strikeouts without allowing a run.  Offensively the Flyers were led by Jacob, Tyrell, Dunsmore and Navalinski who all picked up two hits apiece.

Wheeler led the way for HPU picking up two hits and driving in a pair of runs.  Both of Manion's hits led to runs being scored for the Panthers.  Billy Alvino and Marion both collected two hits as well.  Max Fulginiti upped his hitting streak to 11 games when he singled in the 11th inning.

The two teams square-off again tomorrow afternoon at Coy O. Williard Stadium as Jamie Serber takes the hill for the Panthers and will be countered by Quinn Haselhorst.  First pitch is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.