DAVIDSON, N.C. - Despite overcoming a five-run deficit to tie the game in the sixth inning, the La Salle University baseball team dropped a 16-8 contest at Davidson on Sunday in the finale of its Atlantic 10 Conference opening series.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• La Salle jumped out to an early lead with three runs in the opening inning. Senior Ben Faso started things off by lacing a single to left field to drive in fellow senior Peyton Sorrels. Two batters later, Faso scored when freshman Nick O'Day hit a two-run home run to right center, putting the Explorers ahead by three.
• Davidson immediately answered the call, however, pushing five runs across the plate in the bottom of the first. The Wildcats added another run in the second on a sacrifice fly and then surged to an 8-3 advantage after a Ruben Fontes homer in the fourth.
• The Explorers chipped away at the five-run deficit with a pair of runs in the fifth inning. Sophomore Tommy Toal scored on a balk and then freshman Nick Di Vietro drove in Sorrels on an RBI groundout to make it 8-5.
• In the sixth, Toal drew a bases-loaded walk to score freshman Tatem Levins and then fellow freshman Ross Mulhall scored on a fielder's choice hit by Sorrels to bring the Explorers within a run. Di Vietro then laid down a sacrifice bunt to bring home freshman Matt Rivera, tying the game at eight all.
• The Wildcats once again had a response though, plating four runs in the bottom of the sixth to quickly go back up 12-8. Davidson scored four more runs in the seventh to run away with the series sweep.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Sorrels led the Explorers on offense, going 3-for-5 with two runs and an RBI.
• Starting pitcher Jackson Ray lasted two innings, while junior Erik Janss scattered three runs on four hits with three strikeouts over three innings of relief.

UP NEXT

• The Explorers will return home to host Rider on Tuesday at 3 p.m.