JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (Interstat) — Tristan Curless launched a go-ahead grand slam in the bottom of the eighth inning Friday, erasing a three-run deficit and propelling the East Tennessee State Buccaneers to a 6-5 victory over the Marist Red Foxes in the season opener for both teams at Thomas Stadium.

The game, which began in the afternoon and concluded under evening lights, saw the Buccaneers capitalize on a patient offensive approach and a single, massive swing to overcome a Marist squad that had leveraged timely hitting and productive outs to build a lead.

Marist struck first in the third inning. Leadoff hitter Lucas Monico singled and later scored on an RBI single from Nick Rivera, giving the Red Foxes a 1-0 advantage. They expanded their lead in the fourth with a pair of sacrifice flies. Monico drove in a run with a fly ball to first base, and later in the inning, Luis Cedeno lifted another sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Chris Lawrence to make it 3-0.

East Tennessee State chipped away in the first inning without the benefit of a hit. Three consecutive walks by Marist starter Will Taylor loaded the bases, and Tristan Curless drew a fourth walk to force in a run. Ian Guanzon followed with a sacrifice fly to left, cutting the deficit to 3-2. That score held until the seventh inning, as both pitching staffs navigated traffic on the bases.

The Red Foxes added what seemed like critical insurance in the top of the seventh. After a walk and a single put runners on second and third, Nathan Lincoln delivered Marist’s third sacrifice fly of the game, scoring Tyler Baer to extend the lead to 5-2.

The momentum shifted decisively in the bottom of the eighth. Facing Marist reliever Alex Fierro, the Buccaneers loaded the bases with one out on a single by Jackson Palmese and walks to Antonio Melendez and Tyler Fetterman. Marist turned to Caleb Kempler out of the bullpen to face Curless.

On a 1-1 count, Curless connected, sending a towering drive over the right-field wall for a grand slam, instantly turning the three-run deficit into a 6-5 Buccaneers lead. The four-run blast was the first hit of the inning for East Tennessee State.

Marist made a final push in the ninth. After two quick outs, Nick Rivera hit a solo home run to left field off Buccaneers closer Aiden Cotten, pulling the Red Foxes back within a run. But Cotten settled in, getting Andrew Brotz to ground out to shortstop to end the game and secure the win.

Evan Rolison earned the win in relief for East Tennessee State, while Kempler took the loss for Marist. Cotten recorded the save.

The Buccaneers outhit the Red Foxes 9-8, with Guanzon collecting three singles. Andrew Hill, Mason Ault, and Palmese each had two hits for East Tennessee State. For Marist, Rivera led the way with three hits, including the home run, and two RBIs.

With the victory, East Tennessee State begins its season 1-0, while Marist starts 0-1. The two teams are scheduled for a doubleheader on Saturday to continue the series.

East Tennessee State’s next game is Tuesday at Virginia Tech, while Marist continues its road trip with a three-game series at Vanderbilt beginning Feb. 20.