AUBURNDALE, Fla. -- Point Park University baseball split two games with Trinity Baptist (Fla.) to open the season on Saturday from the RussMatt Central Florida Invitational. The Pioneers dropped the first game, 3-1, and they had their bats come alive in the fifth inning for a 7-3 win in game two.

Point Park (1-1), ranked No. 16 in the NAIA Top 25, continues its stay in Florida through Tuesday with two games each day. The Pioneers play (RV) Judson (Ill.) (0-0) on Sunday at 10 a.m.

GAME 1
Luis Mujica hit a home run in the top of the first inning, but that was the only run the Pioneers got in the 3-1 loss to Trinity Baptist. Nicholas Beardsley went a complete game of 6.0 innings giving up three runs. But he was out-dueled by Trinity's Jacob Burr, who put up six scoreless innings after the early homer.

Burr allowed just three hits over 7.0 innings. He struck out eight and walked one. Beardsley's final totals included six hits over 6.0 innings, three runs, three walks and five strikeouts. Trinity Baptist scored one run each in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings to inch out in front. Each time, a walk and a key hit was involved.

GAME 2
The Pioneers had plenty of base runners, and they cashed in with some big hits by Luis Mujica and Jake Forgrave. Point Park drew seven walks in the game and also added five hits.

Forgrave was 1 for 2 with two RBIs and two walks. His two-run double in the first inning followed up three walks earlier in the frame.

After Trinity took a 3-2 lead, the Pioneers won the game with their five-run fifth inning. The big inning had Yuri Sucart's double and three walks force in the first run. An infield error brought in the next two, and Mujica followed with a two-run double to add on. Mujica was 2 for 3 with a walk.

Point Park used three pitchers with Ryan Huber earning the victory in 1.1 innings of middle relief. He got out of a jam in the top of the fifth to keep the score 3-2 in favor of TBC. Ruben Ramirez finished off the game with a scoreless seventh striking out the side.

Nick Bucci started and pitched 4.2 innings. He allowed just three hits and one earned run. TBC scored all three of its runs in the fourth. Bucci struck out two and walked five.

FOLLOW THE PIONEERS
Follow the Pioneers all year at PointParkSports.com and on Social Media @PointParkSports and @PPUBaseball. Sunday's games versus (RV) Judson (Ill.) will have live stats available.