PEMBROKE – UNCP pounded out 12 hits, including four of the extra-base variety, to provide more than enough run support for its three-armed pitching staff as the Braves successfully kicked off their 2011 campaign with a 9-3 win over Anderson on Saturday evening at Sammy Cox Field.

UNCP (1-0) got multi-hit tallies from four different players, including senior Keith Whitman who doubled, singled twice and scored a run to earmark a 3-for-4 night at the plate. Josh Haley walked, homered and scored twice on a 2-for-3 hitting line, with newcomers Brad Bridgeman and J.J. Williams each turning in 2-for-4 tallies. Williams also scored a pair of runs.

Anderson (0-1) got 2-for-5 tallies from three different players, including Erick Sanderson who provided a leadoff home run to spark a 3-run sixth inning for the Trojans.

UNCP starter Tyler Wood (1-0) surrendered nine hits over five innings of work, but picked up the win anyways after striking out six and allowing just three runs (two earned). Reliever Brantley Hattrich picked up the hold for the Braves after giving up just one hit and striking out four in three innings of relief work, with Brian Willis striking out one and allowing a meaningless single in working the ninth frame.

T.J. Estes (0-1) offset six strikeouts by allowing six runs (three earned) on seven hits in six innings of work to saddle the loss for the Trojans. Kaleb Davis and Riley McDermott both saw an inning of work for Anderson as well.

Haley's leadoff homer in the first gave the hosts a quick lead, but UNCP tacked on lone runs in the third and fourth innings as well, before utilizing a costly passed ball, as well as a sacrifice fly by Joe Mangum, in the fifth to extend the advantage out to 5-0. Anderson chopped into its deficit by putting up three runs in the top of the sixth to get to within a pair of runs, 5-3, but the Black and Gold plated Keith Whitman on an error in the bottom of the frame and then put the game away with a three-run eighth inning.

Chase Grissom and Whitman both reached to lead off the eighth before Tyler Potter brought in the first run of the rally. A two-run triple by Williams would finish off the scoring opportunity.

UNCP and Anderson will close out their three-game series on Sunday when the squads suit up for a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Sammy Cox Field. Admission prices are $5 for adults and $2 for children 18 years of age and younger. UNCP students are admitted free with a valid Braves Card.