ROCK HILL, S.C. - The University of Maine baseball fell in their season opener on Friday afternoon, as the Winthrop University Eagles dealt the Black Bears a 3-1 loss in South Carolina.

• Nicholas Sinacola put together a strong season debut to start his sophomore season, going five innings and giving up three runs (two earned) while striking out a career-high six batters. 
• Redshirt-junior Matt Geoffrion followed Sinacola out of the bullpen, working three stellar innings of relief. Geoffrion scattered a pair of hits and struck out three in three innings of work, throwing 65.5% strikes in his season debut. 
• His classmate Alex McKenney also had a fine debut at the plate, going 2-4 and blasting his first career home run in the top of the fifth inning. 
• The pitching for Winthrop dominated the day, as the Eagles' ace Thad Harris struck out eight Black Bears in six innings while surrendering just one other hit besides McKenney's home run. 
• Winthrop's first two runs came fielder choice plays in the infield during the fourth inning, while the third came on an RBI double in the bottom of the fifth. 
• Maine's opening day drought continues, as they have not started a season 1-0 since the 2016 season. 

The two teams continue their series tomorrow afternoon, first pitch is set for 3:00 PM, followed by Sunday's finale at 1:00.