HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. – Late runs proved crucial as Norwich University edged the Centenary University baseball team in both games of the season opening doubleheader on Sunday.

The Cadets used a run in the top of the seventh to secure a 4-3 win in game one. In game two, the Cadets scored six runs in the top of the sixth to pull out an 8-6 win.

Senior Nicholas Grifone had a two-run double in game two to highlight the action for the Cyclones.

Game One Recap (Norwich wins 4-3):
Norwich jumped out to an early lead in game one with a run in the top of the second inning.

Centenary got on the board in the bottom of the fourth. Senior Brandon Smith reached on a single up the middle and advanced around the bases to score on a passed ball.

The Cadets took a 3-1 lead with a pair of runs in the top of the fifth.

Centenary quickly responded with a pair of runs in the bottom half of the frame to tie the game at 3-3. Smith reached on a fielding error that allowed freshman Chase Johnson and senior Paul Links to score.

Norwich took the lead back in the top of seventh as Michael Koytikh led off with a single. He advanced around the bases and a Cyclone error after he stole third allowed him to score.

Centenary got one runner on in the bottom of the seventh but was unable to get the runner home as Norwich secured the 4-3 win.

Timber Russell picked up the win in relief for the Cadets. He tossed one inning of two-hit scoreless relief. Nick Beavin earned the save for Norwich after a scoreless seventh. Senior Matt Oehrlein took the loss after giving up one run in 2.1 innings of work.

Links led Centenary with two hits and a run scored while Koytikh had two hits and a run scored for Norwich.

Game Two Recap (Norwich wins 8-6):
The Cyclones jumped out to the early lead in this one with a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. Grad student Jon Fleck ripped an RBI double to left center and Smith added an RBI single.

Centenary extended its lead to 3-0 on a single off the bat of senior Nicholas Gattuso.

Norwich got two of those runs back in the top of the third and made it a 3-2 game.

The Cyclones pushed their lead to 5-2 with a pair of runs in the bottom of the fifth. Grifone ripped his double to the fence in right which scored freshman Jake Keenan and Smith.

Norwich used five hits and took advantage of three Cyclone errors to score six runs in the top of the sixth and took an 8-5 lead. Ryland Richardson had a two-run double to highlight the frame for the Cadets.

Centenary got one run back in the bottom of the seventh as junior Cole Heitzman doubled home Keenan to make it an 8-6 game. However that was all the home team could manage as Beavin recorded the final three outs to secure the 8-6 win for Norwich.

Noah Carpenter secured the win in relief as he went 1.1 innings and had allowed one run on three hits. Beavin picked up his second save of the day for Norwich. Scott Ducey took the loss for the Cyclones as he gave up three runs while facing three batters.

Gattuso and Smith each had two hits for the Cyclones while Keenan had a hit and two runs scored. Grifone added a hit and two RBIs.

Centenary is back in action on Friday, March 4 when it hosts SUNY Cobleskill in a doubleheader starting at 11 a.m.