MEQUON, Wis. - The Benedictine University baseball team opened play in the NACC Tournament by notching an 13-7 win over second-seeded Marian University.

Benedictine broke out the bats early, scoring four runs in the top of the first to set the tone. Kyle Bock recorded a one-put single to start the rally. Justin Kovalsky followed with a single and Nick Johnson was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Nick Fillmore opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly. An error allowed an unearned run to score before Matthew Higgs doubled home a pair. Brandon Clark singled home a run in the third to up the lead to 5-1 after a Marian run in the second.

After Marian clawed within 5-3, Benedictine pulled away. The Eagles scored two in the fourth and then tacked on a pair in each of the final three innings. Higgs doubled to lead off the fourth and scored on a Tim Hendricks single. Hendricks came around on a single from Johnson. Hendricks and Erik Callaghan drove home runs in the seventh with Higgs knocking in a pair with a double in the eighth. Fillmore and Clark plated runs in the ninth.

Every member of the lineup collected at least one hit as Benedictine lashed 17. Six individuals notched more than one hit including the top four in the lineup. Higgs led the way with four hits, three of which were doubles. Higgs also drove home four runs. Hendricks, Fillmore, and Clark all drove home multiple runs in addition to Higgs.

Cody Netzel worked seven innings on the mound, earning the win. Netzel allowed just a pair of earned runs while walking three and striking out seven to improve to 4-3 on the season. Joe Palasiewicz, Kamren Ackerman, and Timothy Feeley also worked in the win.

Marian shared the conference title and swept Benedictine in the regular season. Benedictine (18-22) advances to face fourth-seeded host Concordia Wisconsin at 1:00 p.m. in the winners brackets of the double elimination tournament.