HIGH POINT – Junior Kyle Mahoney lifted the High Point University baseball team to 6-5 win over Charlotte with a home run in the eighth inning on opening day at Williard Stadium on Friday.

Junior Corey Swickle earned the win and former Wesleyan Christian Academy standout Mikel Rodenberg got his first career save.

“The guys showed real character,” said head coach Craig Cozart. “The first inning didn’t go like we had hoped but they showed leadership and toughness and stayed patient. They let the game come to them and obviously our relief pitchers came through.”

Swickle pitched 22⁄3 innings, striking out the first three batters he faced to get the win for the Panthers. Senior Tim Lysaught pitched four innings in the loss for Charlotte.

The 49ers got on the board first, scoring three runs in the first inning, all with two outs. High Point answered with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to tie the score at 3-3. Pablo Rosario led off for HPU with a single to center field and Murray White IV followed with a single to left. Nate Roberts flied out to center, advancing Rosario to third. Rosario scored on a double from Matt Gantner. Max Fulginiti doubled later in the inning, scoring Gantner and White.

HPU took 4-3 lead in the bottom of the fourth on a single from Rosario, which scored Mahoney, who had doubled down the left field line.

With two outs in the bottom of the eighth, Mahoney hit his fifth career home run to give HPU the win.

“This was a big win for us,” Mahoney said. “In the sixth inning their pitcher left a fastball up and I missed it. On my last at bat he made the same mistake and this time I didn’t miss it. The guys were really excited tonight but we are already moving on to tomorrow.”

Swickle started the top of the ninth with a walk to Shane Basen. Rodenberg came in to relieve Swickle and recorded the next three outs to strand Basen and earn the save.

“It feels great to get the save,” Rodenberg said. “I never saw myself as a closer before this season so it is great to have success on my first try. I have to give credit to the rest of the team though for even giving me the chance to come in and get the save.”

The Panthers complete the home-and-home series with Charlotte today at 4 p.m. at Hayes Stadium in Charlotte. Sophomore Al Yevoli gets the start for HPU, while freshman Corbin Shive will make his first collegiate start for Charlotte.