Last year's team home run leader struck again in the season's opening contest. Gavin Williams hit the first home run of the season for TBC Eagles Baseball, and the offense scored 7 times in the opener, but NAIA/USCAA Florida National University struck first and built a big lead on route to a 20-7 win.

With Ryan Onkst on first after driving in Logan McGann (error) with a base hit, Williams drove one over the center field fence for a two-run shot that capped a three-run bottom of the sixth.

[Gavin Williams hit the season's first home run on Friday.]

TBC's scoring started in the third when Darren Goeke, Jr. hit a hard grounder that went astray. The bobble allowed McGann (walk) to score the first run. Larson Lott followed with a single to right that drove in Onkst (walk).

In the fifth, Nate Nogueras singled home a pair with a base hit. Dominic Gattinella (runner for Lott, single) and Jacob Brigman (walk) crossed the plate on the drive into center.

Goeke, Lott, and Jacob Burke each had a pair of hits while Onkst, Williams, and Nogueras also hit safely.

The Eagles were trying to make a comeback but fell well short. FNU started strong with a first-inning two-run homer from Erick Rodriguez, who total 3 RBI on the day. They had big first, second, third, and sixth innings to build their lead.

The two teams will play a double-header at Ford Family Park on Saturday afternoon beginning at 12:00 p.m. The Eagles will then travel to NCAAA South Region Paine College for three on January 31 and February 1 before returning home for another South Region series with Bob Jones University on February 7 and 8. The NCCAA Division 2 Invitational will then see the Eagles battling three formidable teams between February 13 and 15.