VALDOSTA, Ga. - Georgia Southwestern pitchers Lance Shelton, Zach Smith and Dylan Brown combined to throw a program-best (NCAA era) 15 strikeouts as the Hurricanes won their season opener, 5-2, over Truett-McConnell on Saturday afternoon at Billy Grant Stadium.

GSW started its 2014 season on a high note while TMC suffers its first loss of the year and falls to 2-1.

Southwestern opened the second inning with four-consecutive hits to jump out to a 2-0 lead highlighted by senior Zach Moss' RBI single to left field that drove in Neal Chambless and Stephen Eldridge. After Devyn Newberry reached base on a throwing error that brought in Moss, senior Josh Sanders knocked in GSW's final two runs with a single up the middle that scored Newberry and freshman Will Redding.

TMC picked up both of their runs in the seventh inning.  

Gordon College transfer Lance Shelton pitched five scoreless innings in his debut for the Hurricanes. Shelton struck out nine while walking three. He held the Bears to three hits. Freshman Zach Smith threw two innings of relief before making way for freshman Dylan Brown, who did not allow a hit and struck out three in two scoreless innings out of the pen to pick up the save.   

Starter Chris Stevens took the loss for TMC after allowing five runs - three earned - in six innings of work. Stevens walked three and struck out three. Chris West and Kirby Alls each tossed a scoreless inning of relief.  

Redding finished 3-for-4 to lead GSW hitters. Eldridge went 2-for-3. Sanders and Moss knocked in a pair of runs apiece.

Hayden Fleming and Tyler Crumley had two hits apiece for TMC.

The Hurricanes wrap up opening weekend in Valdosta with a game against Valdosta State on Sunday at 1 p.m.