KINGSPORT, Tenn. – The Indiana Tech baseball team is in Kingsport, Kentucky, for the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round this week, hosted by Tennessee Wesleyan at Hunter Wright Stadium. The Warriors opened the contest going 1-1 in their first two games, beating Louisiana Christian in their opening game, 8-2, before falling to the No. 3-ranked hosts, Tennessee Wesleyan, in their second game, 1-8.
 
On Monday, against Louisiana Christian, the Wildcats opened the scoring with one run in each of the third and fourth innings, leading 2-0 after four. After a scoreless fifth inning, the Warriors' bats came alive in the sixth, as they would score all eight of their runs in the frame. The Warriors' pitching staff would close the door in the final three innings, holding the Wildcats scoreless to secure the victory. Adam Besser earned the win on the mound, throwing six innings in which he allowed two runs on eight hits and struck out two of the 27 batters he faced. Colton Leatherman picked up the save, throwing three innings in which he allowed zero runs on two hits and struck out five of the 11 batters he faced. Offensively, the Warriors were led by Brycen Hannah and Jordan Malott, who each went three for five with one RBI, while Alex Watkins posted a team-high two RBIs.
 
On Tuesday, against the hosts, the Bulldogs got off to a quick start, driving in six runs in the bottom of the first inning. In the third, TWU added another to their tally, leading 7-0 after three. Tech's lone run came in the fourth inning as Jordan Malott hit a solo shot to left field. In the seventh, the Bulldogs added their final run to the board, closing out their 8-1 win over Tech. Malott led the Warriors' offense, going two for four at the plate with one RBI.
 
The Warriors are back in action on Wednesday, as they take on Cumberland (Tenn.), whom they split a doubleheader with to start the season, at 1:30 p.m.