HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. - The Norwich University baseball team opened its 2022 season with a doubleheader at Centenary University on Sunday.

The Cadets swept the Cyclones with a 4-3 win in game one and a come from behind 8-6 win in game two.

In game one, the Cadets got on the board first in the top of the second inning on an RBI groundout by senior short stop Jacob Parizo (Groton, Conn.) to take a 1-0 lead.

The Cyclones tied the game in the bottom of the fourth before NU took the lead again in the top of the fifth frame. Junior second baseman Abel Oropeza (Whittier, Calif.) singled to center, scoring sophomore center fielder Tyler Callahan (Arlington, Mass.) for a 2-1 lead. Senior catcher Connor McGee (Wakefield, R.I.) singled to short to score Oropeza later in the inning for a 3-1 lead.

Centenary rallied for two unearned runs in the home half of the fifth to knot the game 3-3, where it would remain until the top of the seventh inning.

With two outs in the top of the seventh, senior designated hitter Michael Koytikh (Melrose, Mass.) (who leadoff the inning with a single) stole third base and then advanced to home on a throwing error for the 4-3 Cadet lead.

Sophomore Matt Ingraffia (Lake Grove, N.Y.) earned the opening day start and tossed five innings of four-hit ball. He allowed three runs (all unearned) and walked three batters while fanning five. Fellow sophomore Timber Russell (Randolph, Vt.) tossed an inning of relief in the sixth, allowing two hits en route to his first career win.

Sophomore Nick Beavin (Montpelier, Vt.) picked up his first career save in his first appearance on the bump for the Cadets, allowing one walk in the seventh inning to go along with two strikeouts.

In game two, the Cadets trailed 5-2 entering the top of the sixth inning before the offense exploded for six runs with two outs to take an 8-5 lead. Senior first baseman Hayden Roberge (Middlesex, Vt.) and junior right fielder PJ Morales (Bakersfield, Calif.) both roped RBI doubles during the rally while sophomore third baseman Ryland Richardson (Windsor, Vt.) posted a two-RBI double.

The Cyclones scored one in the bottom of the seventh, but the Cadets held on for the 8-6 win. McGee went two-for-four with an RBI, while freshman Ben Emero (Medway, Mass.) tossed four innings of three-run ball (one earned) in his first career start. He surrendered three walks while striking out five batters.

Freshman Noah Carpenter (Herkimer, N.Y.) collected his first career win in a relief effort, tossing one and one-third innings. He allowed one earned run on three hits while fanning two batters. Beavin picked up his second save of the day, throwing a perfect seventh inning with one strikeout.

The Cadets begin the season 2-0, while the Cyclones fall to 0-2. Norwich is next in action on Saturday, March 5th for a doubleheader against Houghton in Fort Pierce, Florida.