PEMBROKE – Home-standing and ninth-ranked UNCP registered a season-best 21 hits and scored four runs in four different innings en route to a series-clinching 17-9 victory in the back half of a series-opening doubleheader on Saturday evening at Sammy Cox Field.

The result marked the fourth-straight victory for the Braves (19-3, 4-3 PBC) who also tacked up their second Peach Belt Conference series win of the season as well. Flagler (11-10, 2-3), who won a road series against PBC rival last weekend, fell to 5-7 against nationally-ranked teams this season – a clip that includes a pair of victories over then-No. 2 Florida Southern.

The Braves got two or more hits from seven different players, including Keith Whitman who drove in a pair of runs and scored once on a team-best 4-for-5 hitting line. Junior Josh Haley doubled twice and scored two runs on a 3-for-4 outing, while Jason Coker walked three times and turned in his team-leading third home run of the season to highlight a 1-for-3 plate performance. J.J. Williams and Aaron Parnell each registered a trio of hits as well, with Tyler Potter, Brad Bridgeman and Alex Pearce all turning in two hits apiece.

Flagler got three hits apiece from three different players, including Charlie Stewart who homered and drove in four runs on a 3-for-5 day at the plate. Devon Hellett and John Sgromolo both turned in 3-for-5 outings, while Travis Coverston drove in a pair of runs on a 2-for-4 night at the plate.

Brantley Hattrich (2-0) struck out two in 1-2/3 innings of hitless relief to grab the win for UNCP, who also got a solid inning of relief from newcomer Aubrey Meadows. Starter Tyler Wood offset five strikeouts by yielding five earned runs on seven hits and two walks in three innings from the hill, but was not awarded a decision.

Starter Jake Brandenberger (1-1) took the loss for the Saints after allowing eight runs (seven earned) on eight hits and a walk in 2-2/3 innings of work.

UNCP sent eight batters to the plate in the bottom of the first en route to taking a 4-0 lead into the second, but Flagler countered with five runs of their own in the top of the third, including three-run, wind-aided home run over the wall in right field. The Braves would leave little doubt after the conclusion of that frame, however, scoring four runs in each of the third and fourth innings to grab a 12-5 lead, before Flagler plated a trio of runs in the sixth to get to within a grand slam.

The Braves would tack its fourth four-spot of the game on the board in the bottom of the sixth, before trading runs with the visitors in the eighth.

UNCP will close out its weekend set with Flagler on Sunday at Sammy Cox Field. First pitch of the series finale is slated for 1 p.m. EST. 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.