FAYETTEVILLE, N.C.- The Immaculata baseball team (0-2) dropped their first game in North Carolina to the host Methodist University (9-0) on Friday afternoon 5-2. 

Methodist got the scoring opened in the bottom of the first inning when they singled home a run to take an early 1-0 lead. Immaculata responded in the top of the second inning when Steven Theisen hit a two- out triple to right center and scored on a single up the middle by Ryan Struble to tie the score at 1-1. 

Methodist would add single runs in the second, third, and fourth innings to take a 4-1 lead heading into the fifth inning.  

Starting pitcher Jason Hughes went three and one-third innings in his first start of the season, allowing four runs on eight hits, striking out two, and walking two.  

Reliever Steven DiBatista, threw four and two-thirds innings allowing one run, on two hits, striking out two, and walking two. 

Immaculata got their second run on the board in the top of the sixth inning. Frank Margiotta and Joey Sacco each singled with one out to put runners on first and second. Joey Wright singled to center to score Frank Margiotta to close the Methodist lead to 4-2. 

Methodist would add on a run in the bottom of the eighth inning to close out the win 5-2. 

Joey Wright led the Macs going, 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI. Ryan Struble went 1-for-3 with an RBI, and Frank Margiotta went 2-for-4 at the plate. Immaculata committed five errors defensively. 

The Mighty Macs will be back in action on Saturday, March 4th when they take on Averett University in Fayetteville, N.C. at 5:00 PM.