EMERSON, Ga. -- Easton Klein threw eight strong innings, and Jared Campbell produced a game-tying hit in the top of the ninth, but (RV) Point Park University baseball lost to No. 24-ranked Taylor (Ind.) University, 6-2, in 10 innings in the first game of the NAIA Southeast Rumble on Friday.

The Pioneers (0-1) are in Georgia for the weekend testing themselves for multiple NAIA Top 25 matchups to open the season. Taylor (3-5) got the win in extra innings in its eighth game of the year. It was a grand slam by Kobe Molen with one out in the bottom of the 10th that provided the difference.

Molen had two big swings on the day to produce the win for the Trojans. His two-run homer in the fourth was the only blemish versus Klein, who went 8.0 innings as the Point Park starter. Molen's first homer made the score 2-1.

Klein, a senior right-hander from Pittsburgh and the returning ace of the staff, gave up six hits in his outing. He struck out five walked one, and worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh to keep the score 2-1. He then worked a 1-2-3 eighth to close out his day.

Taylor used three pitchers to cover the 10.0 innings defensively. Starter Alec Holcomb went 5.0 innings giving up just one run on four hits. The Pioneers scratched across a run in the third for a 1-0 lead. Jared Campbell raced home on the backend of a first-and-third double steal for the lead.

But that was Point Park's only run as it came to bat down 2-1 with its last chance in the top of the ninth. Isaac Santana gave the Pioneers a great start with a lead-off double. Michali Brito bunted the tying run to third with one out. After a strikeout and a walk, Campbell came up with the clutch hit to tie, a RBI double to left field.

Sebastian Rodriguez came on in relief for the Pioneers in the bottom of the ninth. He retired the side in order to begin but ran into trouble in the 10th. The Trojans loaded the bases with one out before Molen's winning slam.

Point Park had seven hits as a team with those coming from six different players. Eddie Javier Jr led the way with a pair of hits.

The Pioneers continue their weekend on Saturday at 7:00 p.m. versus Campbellsville (Ky.). Friday's game was played at the LakePoint Sports Complex. But the rest of the weekend goes back to the Reinhardt campus for the Pioneers. The remaining games this weekend will have live video and stats provided by host Reinhardt. Go to PointParkSports.com/Live for any available live coverage links throughout the season.