Preston Scott went 4-for-5 with five RBI as FPU began its NCCAA World Series title defense with a 10-3 victory over visiting Bethesda. Scott's two-RBI triple highlighted a five-run sixth inning that helped the Sunbirds (33-18) overcome a slow start to take game one of the best of three series.

Wilson Ashford went eight innings, surrendering just one earned run and striking out five to earn the win and improve to 9-2 on the year. Steven Lozier continued his recent hot streak, finishing 2-for-5 with two doubles and three runs scored. Michael Hostetler was 2-for-5 as well and McKay France finished 2-for-3 with two runs. Scott finished a homerun short of the cycle and extended the lead in the eighth with a two-RBI single.

The Flames (28-25) jumped out to a 3-1 lead after three innings and led 3-2 in the sixth before FPU ran off eight unanswered runs to finish the game. Parker Franklin and Silvestre Sanchez each had two hits and an RBI. Starter Jacinto Garcia (5-4) took the loss, working five quality innings before running into trouble in the sixth.

The two teams continue the series tomorrow at noon with the Sunbirds needing one win to punch their ticket to Ohio for the NCCAA World Series.