SALISBURY, Md. -- Darkness ended a solid start by the Virginia Wesleyan College baseball team in its season opener on Saturday.

The Marlins were tied 7-7 in the top of the seventh with the No. 6-ranked Sea Gulls of Salisbury University, when umpires suspended the game due to lack of light. The game will resume on a date to be determined.  A game against Salisbury on Monday, Feb. 16, at Virginia Wesleyan has been postponed and will be rescheduled for a later date.

Salisbury (2-0) held off a late comeback by the Marlins in the first game to post a 6-5 victory.  Virginia Wesleyan trailed 6-2 entering the seventh, but made matters tight with a solo run in the seventh and two in the ninth.

VWC also trailed 7-3 after six innings in the second game, but stunned the Gulls by sparking a seventh-inning rally for four runs. A runner was still on base, with two outs, when the game was suspended.

Hitting was impressive for the Marlins throughout the after, as VWC posted a 9-7 advantage in the first game and hold a 13-7 advantage in the second game.  Senior Jordan Miller (Chesapeake/Grassfield) led the Marlins in the opener with a double and a two-run homer in the top of the fourth inning. Sophomore C.J. Lindsay (Remington/Bealeton Liberty) stroked a solo homer in the lead-off spot in the top of the seven. Senior Zach Bach (Virginia Beach/Frank W. Cox) also doubled in the game and led the Marlins with a 3-for-5 showing.

VWC has connected for six extra base shots in the second game, highlighted by a lead-off homer from sophomore Taylor Erby (Norfolk/Lake Taylor) in the top of the third and a two-run shot in the top of the seventh from senior Josh Mason (Chesapeake/Bishop Sullivan Catholic).  Junior Matt Murray (Nottingham, Pa./Quarryville Solanco) doubled twice and sophomore Nik Milvo (Norfolk/Chesapeake Indian River) and Miller own a double each.

Three pitchers worked for the Marlins in the opener, with rookie Seth Houston (Virginia Beach/Ocean Lakes) taking the loss after 4.2 innings of work. He struck out three, walked three, and gave up five earned runs.  Junior Sean Greiser (Virginia Beach/Floyd E. Kellam) and sophomore Riley Koonce (Virginia Beach/Ocean Lakes) followed in relief.

Preseason All-American senior Brett Collachi (Bear, Del./St. Mark's) notched the win, recording six strikeouts in six innings. He walked three and allowed three hits and two earned runs.  Tyler Hrycak (Hockessin, Del./St. Mark's) led SU with two hits, including a home run.

Four pitchers took the mound for the Marlins in the second game, including starting rookie Nick Bay (Virginia Beach/Frank W. Cox). He gave up three walks and four hits and four earned runs in 3.1 innings.

--AMDG--