The Bryan College baseball team defeated the Eagles of Toccoa Falls 14-2 yesterday evening to kick off their season. The Lions started the season in the best way possible. In the first inning the defense got the first three batters they faced out, striking out the first two batters; meanwhile the offense put up five runs in their first at bat, including a lead-off home run and three-run home run.

Coming off of the best season in Bryan College Baseball history, the Lions look forward to the 2012 season. The 10th season of play since the program was restarted in 2003 will feature many tough competitors including nine teams who were ranked in the Coaches Top-25 poll in 2011, five teams who played in the NAIA opening round tournament and two Avista NAIA World Series participants. The 55-game schedule is comprised of 24 Appalachian Athletic Conference games and 35 home contests. Opening weekend will be at home on February 3 as the Lions play host to the Eagles of Toccoa Falls College (Ga.) in a three-game series.

On a warm Monday night in October, Tyler Latham had 5 hits to lead the White Team over the Red Team 8-7, in Game 1 of the Fall World Series at Senter Field. The two teams will square off again in the final intersquad series of the year on Thursday evening at 7:00pm ET.

McAuley comes to Bryan College after spending the last three years as Northeast Mississippi Community College's pitching coach. While at Northeast, McAuley was instrumental in coaching teams that won 74 games over 3 years, including 33 in his first year at Northeast.