THE LEAD
No. 24 DBU came out swinging on opening day, posting a baker's dozen on the scoreboard en route to a 13-2 victory over Austin Peay. The Patriots were the benefactors of five home runs, two of which were launched off the bat of Preseason All-American shortstop Blayne Jones.

The Patriots found themselves trailing after a solo shot in the top of the third put the Governors ahead. The deficit was only temporary as Blayne Jones blasted a three-run shot, his first of the day, in the bottom half of the inning.

After the Governors added a run in the fourth, DBU responded with three more in the fifth. Jackson Glenn would single to open the inning. Two batters later, Ryan Wrobleski would reach on a fielder's choice; a throwing error would advance Glenn to third. Andrew Benefield would single home one, and Austin Bell would drive in two more on a sinking line drive to right field.

But it was the sixth inning that was the most impressive for the Patriots. DBU took full advantage of a wind that was blowing out to left field and crushed three mammoth home runs in the inning. Andres Sosa started the hit parade by sending a three-run blast into the chilly afternoon sky. Blayne Jones and Andrew Benefield would follow suit, pushing the lead to 12-2. Newcomer River Town would add a solo shot in the 7^th to complete the offense for DBU.

On the mound, Dominic Hamel earned his third career win as a Patriot, going five innings and allowing just two runs on two hits. He struck out seven over a 70-pitch effort. The Patriots also went to Peyton Sherlin, Jacob Young, Chandler Arnold, and Cole Reeves out of the bullpen to close the contest. In total, the Patriots struck out 14 batters, while only walking three. The pitching staff only allowed five hits on the day.

THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- DBU's game against Austin Peay marked the first time in 346 days since the Patriots had last played a meaningful game.
- The Patriots have won their last four opening day contests going back to 2017.
- With his two home runs today, Blayne Jones is nearly halfway to his career high in long balls (5), which he set in just 16 games a season ago.  
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
3 - The number of Patriots that recorded a multi-hit game on opening day.
7 - DBU pitchers stranded seven Governors on base.
12 - The Patriots recorded 12 hits, five of which left the ballpark.

HEAD COACH DAN HEEFNER ON THE WIN:
"I thought the guys did a good job today. It was a hitter-friendly day, but we found a lot of barrels. [Andrew] Benefield had a great day at the plate, I loved how he used the gaps. The home runs were great, but I was really proud of the at-bats that led to those. We love the home runs, but the guys who do the work leading up to them deserve praise too. Pitching wise, our staff looked great. It's pretty impressive to have the options we have. You can just run out guy after guy to shut it down."

UP NEXT
DBU and Austin Peay play game two of the three game set on Sunday, February 21^st. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00PM.