CLINTON, S.C. – Senior Chase Arnold belted a solo home run in his first at-bat of the season, but the La Salle University baseball team dropped its season opener at Presbyterian on Friday, 7-3.

Trailing, 1-0, in the top of the second inning, Arnold took his second pitch deep to left field to tie the game at one all. The designated hitter went 1-for-3 with a pair of RBI on the day to pace the Explorers' offense.

Sophomore Matt Holt got the start on the hill for La Salle, striking out three batters over the first two innings. With the game tied, 1-1, Holt nearly worked out of the third inning, but a dropped foul ball with two outs kept the Blue Hose alive. The next batter, Nick Wise, hit an RBI triple and then scored on a single by Jack McLaughlin, as Presbyterian took a 3-1 lead on a pair of unearned runs.

Holt struck out five over his 4.0 innings pitched, allowing just one earned run and five hits.

After Holt exited the game, Presbyterian quickly added to its run total. Wise struck again with an RBI double to spark a four-run fourth inning, giving the Blue Hose a comfortable 7-1 advantage.

Arnold tallied his second RBI of the game in the seventh inning, bringing in junior second baseman Kevin McGowan on a sacrifice fly to centerfield. Senior shortstop Austin Constantini was then hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to score sophomore catcher Ryan Guckin, but the Explorers left the bags full after that, ending the possibility of further damage.

Eric Miles got the win for Presbyterian, allowing four hits over 6.1 innings of work, while Holt drew the loss.

The Explorers and Blue Hose will battle again in a doubleheader on Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.