PEMBROKE, N.C. – Zach Gelfi went 2-for-3 and drove in three runs to lead #40 UNC Pembroke (1-0) to a 10-4 win over Shepherd University (0-1) in baseball action at UNC Pembroke in the season opener for both schools  on Friday.

The Braves plated five runs on five hits and one error in the second inning. Ethan Baucom smacked a two-run single, Luke Jackson hit an RBI-double, and Brennen Hogan added an RBI-single to key the scoring.

UNC Pembroke added a run in the third on an RBI-single by Hogan and two more in the sixth on a two-run homer by Gelfi to take an 8-0 lead.

The Braves added a run in the seven on a double by Jackson and another in the eighth on an RBI-single by Gelfi.

Shepherd rallied with four runs in the ninth. Graduate student second baseman Syeed Mahdi (Odenton, Md./Arundel/Norfolk State) started the rally with a solo homer to left. Junior designated hitter Brian McCourt (Huntingtown, Md./Huntingtown) hit a two-run double and later scored on an error.

Mahdi went 2-for-4 to lead an eight-hit attack for the Rams.

Hogan went 3-for-4 for the Braves.

Nile Ball (6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 5 K, 0 BB) (1-0) earned the win for the Braves. Jordan Toney (3.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 3 K, 3 BB) gained the save. Senior starter Ryan Potts (Owings, Md./Northern) (3.0 IP, 6 H, 6 R, 2 ER, 7 K, 3 BB) (0-1) took the loss for the Rams.

The two teams return to action on Saturday for a 2 p.m. contest at UNC Pembroke.