CONWAY, Ark. - The Hendrix College baseball team opened the Southern Athletic Association Tournament with a 6-1 win over Centre College at Warrior Field Friday evening.

The Warriors (22-17), the number two seed, hit a pair of home runs off of the Colonels (17-24), the seventh seed.

Hendrix took a 1-0 lead in the third when sophomore center fielder JR McAuley was hit by a pitch and later scored on a sacrifice fly by junior left fielder Wyatt Hogan.

With one out in the bottom of the sixth, freshman shortstop Tanner Cooper singled and sophomore right fielder Matthew Lillard drew a walk. They both moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Sophomore catcher Justin Robison drove in Cooper with a sacrifice fly, then freshman designated hitter Josh Walker hit his first career home run with a towering blast over the fence in left field, giving the Warriors a 4-1 lead.

Centre scored their only run in the top of the seventh when center fielder Will Jorette singled to lead off the frame and later scored on a ground ball by third baseman Brahm Whittinghill.

In the bottom of the seventh, freshman third baseman Jorge Leon led off with a walk and stole second. Sophomore second baseman Drew Judson hit an inside-the-park home run to left center after the two outfielder collide, giving the Warriors the 6-1 victory.

Senior Will Nichol (6-2) tied the school record for career wins with his 18th victory. He allowed seven hits, one run, two walks and struck out four over seven innings. Junior Brooks Billings struck out a career-high three batters and allowed two walks and in two frames of relief. Rob Caudill (3-4) took the loss for the Colonels, giving up five hits, four runs and a walk with three strikeouts over six innings.

Hendrix Notes
- Leon went 2-for-3 with a run scored, two walks and his first stolen base of the year.
- Judson's home run was his third of the season.
- Walker's home run was the first for the freshman.
- Hogan extended his hitting streak to 16 games, tied for the longest this season.
- Nichol tied Hendrix Hall of Honor member Wes Holland (1996-99) with 18 career wins.
- The Hendrix defense set a new single season record with their 44th double play turned.

Centre Notes
- Jorette and catcher Zach Montgomery both recorded two hits.
- Left fielder Alex Richardson recorded a double.

Up Next
Hendrix will take on Rhodes College, the third seed, at Warrior Field on Saturday at noon.