BOX SCORE

FERRUM, Va. — Daniel Alvarez doubled to left field in the bottom of the ninth to plate Peter Byron and lift Ferrum College to an 11-10 non-conference victory over Southern Virginia University on Saturday afternoon at Panther Field.

The Panthers improve to 2-1 on the young season by handing the Knights (0-1) a season-opening loss.

Ferrum exploded for five runs in the third inning. Jason Parker reached on an error and advanced to second on a bunt by Wade Ostrowski. Brennen Iley singled to advance Parker to third. Wes Walker brought Parker home on a single to left field, advancing Iley to second.

After Paul Jaglowski was hit by a pitch to load the bases, Taryn Hayden drew a walk to bring in Iley. Jaglowski scored after Matt Reynolds walked. Byron singled to right center to plate Eddie McGrath, who reached on a fielder's choice, and Hayden to go ahead 5-0 after three.

SVU got one run back in the top of the fourth, but the Panthers responded with four more during its side of the inning to go ahead 9-1 after four.

Both teams held each other in check until the top of the eighth, when the Knights scored five runs on three hits. FC tallied a run in the bottom of the frame to make it 10-6 heading into the final inning.

Southern Virginia plated four runs on three hits in its half of the inning to knot the score at 10.

With one out, Byron doubled to center to set up Alvarez's heroics. Alvarez came in to pinch-hit for Parker and hammered the game-winning double to center to bring home Byron and Ferrum's second-straight win. The hosts pounded out 11 hits to SVU's nine.

The Panthers will be back on the diamond Tuesday, Feb. 14 for a 3 p.m. non-conference tilt with Bridgewater College.