Brevard College Takes High-Scoring Game One, Sweeps Wildcats with Shutout in Game Two
The Brevard College baseball team (2-0) celebrated a successful opening day at Gil Coan Field, sweeping JWU Charlotte (0-2), 17-8 and 8-0 on a windy and cold Saturday afternoon.
The Tornados battled back after surrendering seven runs in the top of the second in game one, outscoring the Wildcats 12-1 down the stretch to earn a season-opening nine-run triumph to begin the doubleheader. Brevard rode a dominant pitching performance to the eight-run victory, capping off the sweep.
GAME ONE: BREVARD 17, JWU CHARLOTTE 8
Making his Tornado debut, senior right-handed pitcher Jonathan Germany struck out three batters in the top of the first to kick off the 2026 campaign. Brevard’s offense wasted no time capitalizing in the bottom of the frame, as Nico Bartolotti drew a bases-loaded walk with two outs to bring in Logan Sawyer and score the first run of the season for BC. Lucas Woodard followed suit with a three-RBI triple, with the sophomore third baseman scoring on an error to push BC’s advantage to five runs through one inning.
JWU Charlotte, led by former BC assistant and first-year Head Coach Steve Hucke, answered right back, using a pair of base hits, two Tornado errors, six walks, and an HBP to score seven runs in the top of the second to take a two-run lead, 7-5.
Senior utility man Logan Sawyer came through in the bottom of the inning, roping an RBI double that brought Tyler Kelson around to score. In the bottom of the fourth, BC broke through with three runs thanks to a two-RBI single from Bartolotti coupled with a bases-loaded RBI HBP by Kelson, putting the Tornados back up by two runs, 9-7.
A massive seven-run fifth in addition to a run scored in the bottom of the sixth sealed the contest in favor of Brevard. Bartolotti finished 2-for-3 with a team-high six RBI and two runs scored, joined with two hits apiece by Gavin McCoy and Woodard. Bryson Genwright, Adam Newcomb, Sawyer, and Woodard all recorded extra-base hits in game one.
Aaron Burchett (1-0) earned the victory, coming out of the bullpen for 4.1 innings of work, allowing just three hits and an unearned run with three strikeouts.
GAME TWO: BREVARD 8, JWU CHARLOTTE 0
Head Coach Vinny Carone‘s squad shut out the Wildcats in the second game of the doubleheader thanks to a dominant effort from its pitching staff. Senior right-handed pitcher Matthew Evans (1-0) secured the win with 4.1 innings on the bump, surrendering just three hits with six strikeouts. Kalen Milstead notched his first collegiate save with 2.2 perfect innings of work, striking out six Wildcats in the process.
Tyson Hinkle led BC’s offense in his first collegiate start, going 2-for-4 with four RBI and two runs scored – including his first collegiate home run to mark the first Tornado homer of the season. Bartolotti was 2-for-2 at the dish with an RBI and a run scored, and Kacey Shanks went 2-for-2 with two RBI in his collegiate debut.
Gavin Grant led all Tornados with three run scored and notched a double, and the BC offense showcased its speed in both games of the twin bill, stealing five bags in each contest.
After three scoreless innings, Hinkle drove in the first run of the game as McCoy scored on an RBI fielder’s choice. Shanks then singled to left field to drive in Grant and Hinkle, putting the Tornados up 3-0 after four innings.
McCoy plated Sawyer on an RBI single before Hinkle drilled his three-run homer over the left field wall. Bartolotti capped off the Tornado scoring with a sacrifice fly that brought Grant around in the bottom of the sixth as BC cruised to the 8-0 win.
The Tornados and Wildcats will finish the three-game set on Sunday at 1 p.m.
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