GREENEVILLE, Tenn. - The Newberry College baseball team drop the first game of this weekend's three-game South Atlantic Conference series to Tusculum College, 9-0, at Pioneer Park on Friday. The Indians drop to 8-18 overall and 2-8 in league play.

The Pioneer offense started hot, with a four-run second inning to pull away. The hosts put up solo runs in the first, third, fourth, seventh and eighth innings to salt the win.

Newberry was limited to two hits and stranded all four Indians that reached base. Jovan Rohena (Trujillo Alto, Puerto Rico) and Tyler Manasa (Miami, Fla.) notched the only hits for NC. Starter Josh McElwee (Andrews, S.C.; 0-4) was tagged with the loss after allowing five runs - four earned - on four hits and three walks in 1.2 innings of work.

TC starter Raymond Ruggles (4-2) struck out seven Indians in 6.1 innings on the mound to pick up the win.

Newberry will look to bounce back with a chance to take the series Saturday. The doubleheader begins at 1 p.m. in Pioneer Park. Live statistics will be available here.