GREENWOOD, S.C.  |  Young Harris College opened up conference play with a 12-9 victory over Lander University in a Peach Belt Conference baseball game Friday (Feb. 15) evening at Dolny Field. 

The Mountain Lions improved to 5-4 overall and 1-0 in the PBC, while the Bearcats fell to 4-5 and 0-1. The two teams conclude the series Saturday (Feb. 16) with a 1 p.m. doubleheader. 

Lander opened scoring in the bottom of the first inning with back-to-back home runs by Mike Fitschen and Nathan Schreckengost to take an early 2-0 lead. Carson Jones added to the lead with a solo shot to left field in the second inning. 

Zavier Lushington put the Mountain Lions on the board in the top of the third inning with a two RBI single to center field. Young Harris took a 6-3 lead after a four run fourth inning.

Jackson Jones made it a 9-3 game for the Mountain Lions with a two run homer to right field in the fifth inning. Young Harris scored three more times in the inning to take a 12-3 lead. 

The Bearcats rallied for six runs across the seventh and eighth innings to make it a 12-9 game in favor of Young Harris. 

Cameron Williams (3-0) picked up the win for the Mountain Lions as he allowed five runs on seven hits with one walk and eight strikeouts in 6.2 innings pitched. McLain Harris earned his second save as he pitched 1.1 innings of scoreless relief with one strikeout. 

Lushington and Tucker Greer each collected two hits and two RBI. Jones tallied a hit and two RBI, while Bailey Campbell, Dahlton Cash, and Brett Hawkins each had one RBI. 

Alex Moore (2-1) earned the loss for Lander as he allowed six runs on four hits with two walks and two strikeouts in 3.1 innings pitched.