ASHEVILLE, N.C. (Interstat) — In a wild opening game of a Saturday doubleheader at Greenwood Baseball Field, the UNC Asheville Bulldogs erased a seven-run deficit in the first inning to defeat the Alabama A&M Bulldogs 11-7.

The most important part of the game unfolded immediately, as a monumental first inning saw 14 combined runs and a complete reversal of momentum. Alabama A&M’s Miles Jackson launched a solo home run to left field on the game’s first pitch, sparking a seven-run top of the first. The visiting Bulldogs capitalized on two walks and two hit batters, with Charles Morris adding an RBI single.

UNC Asheville’s response in the bottom half was swift and relentless. After starter Antonio Torr recorded only one out, reliever Bryce Dolce entered with the bases loaded and struggled with command. Dolce and Terence Sales combined to walk four batters, forcing in three runs. The inning was capped by shortstop Logan Lowe, who cleared the bases with a two-run single up the middle, tying the game at 7-7 and completing the stunning seven-run rally.

Lowe was the offensive star for UNC Asheville, driving in five runs. He went 3 for 3 with a walk, adding a sacrifice fly in the third inning and another two-run single in the fourth. Designated hitter Eric Krumpe also contributed, going 2 for 3 with two RBIs.

After the chaotic first, the game settled into a battle of bullpens. UNC Asheville’s relief corps shut the door, particularly Garrett Crum, who earned the win with 3 1/3 scoreless innings of two-hit ball, striking out three. Matthew Hall provided 2 2/3 innings of solid relief, allowing one unearned run.

Alabama A&M briefly tied the game in the second inning on an RBI single from Wilmer Cueva and a wild pitch, but could not regain the lead. Jackson finished 2 for 6 with a home run and two RBIs for Alabama A&M. Their bullpen, after the first-inning collapse, found stability with Virgil Heath and Nick Espinola each throwing two scoreless innings, but the early damage proved insurmountable.

UNC Asheville took the lead for good in the third on Lowe’s sacrifice fly. They added two more in the fourth on Lowe’s second two-run single and a final insurance run in the eighth on an RBI double from Krumpe.

With the victory, UNC Asheville improved to 9-7 overall, while Alabama A&M fell to 3-11. The result defied the Interstat game simulator projection of a 5-3 UNC Asheville win, though it confirmed the system’s ELO rating that gave the home team an 81.7% probability of victory.

The teams were scheduled to conclude the three-game series with the second game of the doubleheader later Saturday.