DANVILLE, Va. - No. 1 Ferrum College used a six run first inning to propel itself past No. 8 Shenandoah 13-1 Wednesday morning in the opening game of the USA South Conference baseball tournament at Dan Daniel Park in Danville.

Ferrum (25-8) now moves on to the second round where it will face the winner of the No. 4 Methodist vs No. 5 NC Wesleyan game at 1:30 tomorrow. SU (21-19) takes on the loser of the MC/NCWC contest at 10:00 tomorrow. That will be an elimination game.

Panthers starter Carlos Sanchez held the Hornets to just three hits in earning the seven inning complete game victory. Originally scheduled for nine innings, the game was shortened by tournament rule with Ferrum up by more than 10 runs.

Sanchez struck out seven and walked three to improve to 8-2 on the season. Shenandoah starter Chris Hickerson (Nokesville, Va./Brentsville) fell to 3-2 after giving up six runs on three hits and three walks in 1/3 of an inning. Jason Burgess (Severn, Md./Cardinal Gibbons) pitched five innings and Nick Sborz (Berwick, Pa./Berwick) 2/3 of an inning in relief.

The Hornets got their only run in the fourth inning when Adam Kuchemba (Plains, Pa./Coughlin) singled home Mike Arvizo (Palmdale, Calif./Antelope Valley) wit one out. Arvizo got Shenandoah's first hit of the game with a double to right center immediately preceding Kuchemba's at-bat.

A complete box score and play by play for this game can be found at http://www.su.edu/athletics/bb/2004/041404.htm