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The High Point University baseball team opened the 2011 season with a 17-3 loss at Troy Friday night. Junior Cody Allen allowed eight runs on 10 hits for the loss in his High Point debut. Tyler Ray picked up the win for the Trojans, allowing one run in six innings.

“When you schedule tough road games early in the year you immediately test the character of your team,” said head coach Craig Cozart. “Tonight was a disappointment. We didn't respond with the bat, on the mound or defensively. There are some positives to take from tonight. Steven Schils and Drew Dades pitched well out of the bullpen and every guy we brought off the bench battled at the plate.”

Troy opened up an 8-1 lead through the first four innings. Allen allowed eight runs on 10 hits in four innings of work in his Panther debut. He walked three and struck out one for the loss. Al Yevoli relieved Allen, allowing four runs in one inning. Mike Petilli worked 2/3 of an inning allowing five runs on one hit and three walks.
Schils pitched 1-1/3 scoreless innings before Dades took the mound in the eighth. Dades struck out one and allowed one hit.

Mike Gragilla had a pinch hit RBI double in the ninth inning. Zach Tessier followed it with a single through the right side, scoring Robbie Gilles who had walked to lead off the inning. Gragilla would score when Drew Geissinger reached on a fielder's choice.

Mike Mercurio walked to lead off the game and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by Murray White IV. Steve Antolik doubled down the right field line with two outs to score Mercurio from second and HPU took a 1-0 lead to start the game.

High Point's lead was short lived as the Trojans scored three runs in the bottom of the inning off Allen. Allen allowed two more runs in the second before recording a scoreless third inning. Blake Martz led off the third with a single through the left side but was thrown out trying to steal third base. Allen got out of the third without allowing a run, despite two walks.

After the first inning Tyler Ray kept the Panther hitless through the sixth inning, allowing just two base runners. White was hit by a pitch in the third and Geissinger walked in the fourth.

Cass Abercrombie was on the mound for Troy when HPU scored three runs in the ninth.

HPU will play a double header against the Trojans Saturday at Riddle-Pace Field beginning at 2 p.m.