FORT WAYNE, Ind. – On Sunday afternoon the University of Saint Francis Cougars (2-0) kicked off their 2022 season on the road in McKenzie, Tennessee against the Bethel University Wildcats (0-2) in a doubleheader and swept both games winning by scores of 8-4 and 9-3.

Freshman Cory Wolter took the mound in the opener and after starting off with a couple hit batsmen, bounced back to keep the Wildcats off the scoreboard through the first two innings.

Then the Cougars broke the scoreless tie in the top of the third inning as left fielder Alec Brunson led off with a home run. The Wildcats got the run back in the bottom of the frame, but Wolter held them from there.

In the top of the fifth the Cougars regained the lead on an RBI-single by first baseman Tyler Prince and an error to go ahead by two. Then in the top of the sixth, they put it away.

After a hit batsman and walk started the inning for Saint Francis, catcher Xavier Nolan smacked a triple to score two and came around himself on a follow-up single by Alec Brunson. Five runs scored in the inning capped off by a two-run home run by third baseman Kaden Sullivan was more than enough for the Cougars bullpen to nail down the 8-4 win.

Wolter earned the win in his season debut going five innings allowing three runs on just three hits while striking out six. Alec Brunson was the star at the plate going 3-for-4 with two RBI's and a home run.

In the second game, the Cougars offense picked up right where it left off. Alec Brunson got his fourth hit of the day with one out in the top of the first and designated hitter David Miller smacked a two-run home run to open the scoring.

Tyler Prince followed Miller with a solo shot for back-to-back home runs as the Cougars led 3-0 before taking the field.

Sophomore Casey Henry took the mound to start and retired the side 1-2-3 in the first.

An RBI-double by Kaden Sullivan came in the third to give Saint Francis a 4-0 lead while Henry retired the first seven batters he faced. Then in the fourth, Brunson continued his tear with the bat knocking home two more runs with a two-out single to give Henry a 6-0 lead.

More damage was done in the sixth this time by catcher Tyler Rickert with a two-run single, and another insurance run in the seventh was more than enough run support Henry would need. In his season debut, he shut down the Wildcats throughout the game allowing just four hits in six shutout innings.

The Cougars bullpen came in and closed the door as Saint Francis is off on the right foot to begin the season.

Throughout the second game, the hitting star was again Alec Brunson going 3-for-3 driving in two more and scoring twice.

The Cougars resume play on Friday afternoon when they travel to Williamsburg, Kentucky for a four-game road trip against the University of the Cumberlands Patriots (3-0) with the start of Friday's doubleheader to be determined. Follow Saintfranciscougars.com for updates.