GREENWOOD, S.C. – Lander pounded out 10 hits and scored five runs behind a complete game gem from right-hander Cory Hopper and held off a middle-inning rally by third-ranked UNCP to post a 5-3 upset of the visiting Braves in the front half of series-opening doubleheader on Saturday afternoon at Legion Field.

The setback snapped a three-game winning streak for UNCP (15-2, 2-2 PBC) who has failed to record a win in either of its two PBC series openers this year. The win snapped a nine-game series losing streak for Lander (10-8, 1-0) who has been swept by the Braves in each of the last three seasons.

UNCP got hits from three different players on the day, with Josh Haley doubling on a 1-for-4 hitting line to highlight the outing. Jason Coker, Joe Mangum and Brad Bridgeman each recorded a RBI for the Black and Gold despite not registering a hit. Mangum had his 12-game hitting streak snapped on a 0-for-4 day at the plate.

Jeff May doubled and drove in two runs on a 3-for-4 outing for Lander, who also got a 2-for-3 day at the plate from Jordan Owens.

Tyler Wood (3-1) struck out seven Bearcats on the day, but still saddled the loss for the Braves after yielding nine hits, three walks and five runs (four earned) in just five innings from the hill. Reliever Brantley Hattrich struck out four and allowed just one hit over the final three innings, but was not awarded a decision. Hopper (4-0) scattered three hits and three runs (two earned) over his second career complete game in grabbing the win for the hosts. He also struck out eight.

After nearly scratching the scoreboard in the first, Lander went to work again in the second, this time getting Cody McElhaney aboard via a one-out single and then moving the runner to third base via a failed pickoff attempt by Wood. May would give the Bearcats the game's first lead two batters later on a RBI single to left field.

The Bearcats would use a two-run single by Robert Skinner, as well an ensuing RBI double by Jordan Owens, to plate three more runs in the third and push the advantage out to 4-0. Still-hitless UNCP would finally light up the scoreboard in the fifth, taking advantage of a three-base error by right fielder Kevin Childs in getting Aaron Parnell to third to set the table for a sacrifice fly by Brad Bridgeman.

J.J. Williams broke up Hopper's no-hit bid with a bunt single to lead off the sixth, but was followed by a double to centerfield by Josh Haley to put two runners in scoring position for the Braves. Jason Coker's sacrifice fly, as well as a run-scoring knock by Mangum one batter later would get the Black and Gold to within a lone run, 4-3, heading to the bottom of the sixth.

Consecutive doubles by Childs and May in the bottom of the frame, however, would give Lander an insurance run.