PEMBROKE – Nolan Pierce drew a bases-loaded walk with one out in the bottom of the sixth to push across the eventual game-winning run, but the UNC Pembroke got a solid effort from four different pitchers to key a weekend-clinching 8-1 win over Concord on Saturday evening at Sammy Cox Field.

Saint Pauls native Daniel Oxendine (1-for-3) hit his first collegiate home run and drove in three key runs late in the game to pace the offensive effort for the Braves (4-0), while Justin Dattilo doubled in a run and scored once on a 2-for-4 hitting line. Nick Debo (2-for-4) registered a pair of hits for the hosts as well.

Brad Sullivan and Trevor Wiersma both collected 2-for-4 hitting lines to lead the Mountain Lions (0-2).

UNCP starter Lane Johnson struck out five and allowed just one run over five innings of work from the hill, but it was reliever Daniel Batts (2-0) that picked up the win after striking out four and surrendering just one hit in two innings of scoreless relief. Kyle Ramsey worked a scoreless eighth, and freshman Henry Simpson struck out a pair in a scoreless ninth for the Black & Gold as well.

Troy Beckner (0-1) took the tough-luck loss for Concord despite allowing just two earned runs on six hits in 5-2/3 innings from the bump.

Drew Beaver and Dattilo both hit doubles to lead off the fourth and give the Braves a 1-0 edge, but Brad Sullivan's RBI single with two outs in the fifth knotted the score back up. Newcomer Hayden Buffkin crossed the plate to give the lead back to the Braves in the sixth, but UNCP erupted for six runs in the seventh to put the game out of reach.

The Braves will battle Concord in the series finale on Sunday at Sammy Cox Field. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.