BOONE, N.C. (Interstat) — Appalachian State overcame an early deficit to defeat Canisius 5-2 on Friday afternoon at Beaver Field at Jim and Bettie Smith Stadium. The Mountaineers, projected as heavy favorites, improved to 1-0 while the Golden Griffins fell to 0-1.

Canisius took a 2-0 lead in the third inning when Ethan Weeks was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, driving in Jackson Spinosa. Appalachian State chipped away, scoring on a Brooks Wright sacrifice fly in the fifth. Kameron Miller’s two-run single through the left side in the sixth gave the Mountaineers a 3-2 lead, which they never relinquished.

Appalachian State added two insurance runs in the eighth on RBI singles from Efry Puig and Drew DuPont. The Mountaineers’ offense produced seven hits but grounded into four double plays. Canisius managed only five hits. The teams continue the series with a doubleheader on Saturday.