The defending NCAA Division II champions from Lynn University scored three runs in the seventh inning - to open a five-run lead - and held on for a 9-6 victory over Georgia Southwestern on Friday afternoon at Hurricane Stadium.

The visiting Fighting Knights wasted no time getting on the board with a three-run first inning.

GSW answered with two runs in the bottom of the frame off back-to-back singles from Chris Lingham and Zack Stanton, a sacrifice fly from Trent Dooley and a RBI-single from Paschel Poston.

Lynn added single runs in the second, third and fifth innings to make it a 6-2 game.

Dooley responded with a two-run shot to right-center for his first home run of the season to close the gap to a pair of runs.

After Lynn (7-5-1) posted the three-run seventh, GSW made another run in the eighth. Poston and Byron Haynes led off the inning with back-to-back doubles and Kevin Carroll knocked an RBI-single to bring in Poston. Haynes eventually scored the final run of the game.

GSW starter Tyler Daniel (1-2) threw four innings, allowed six runs (four earned) and nine hits to take the loss. Brandon Reeder surrendered three runs in 2.1 innings of relief before Corey Hawes (1.2 innings) and Chris Carroll (1.0 innings) combined to keep Lynn scoreless the rest of the way.

Johnny Membreno picked up the win for Lynn throwing seven innings, allowing six runs and nine hits. Ryan Digiose pitched a scoreless ninth for his first save of the season.

Lingham went 3-for-5 for with a run scored to lead GSW hitters. Poston collected two hits, drove in a run and scored.

Dane Derstine led Lynn going 4-for-5 with a double, RBI and run scored. Jackson Harris was 3-for-6, scored a run and had a RBI. Chris Chavez and Leo Carrillo had two hits apiece for the Fighting Knights.

Southwestern (4-4) is back in action on Saturday, hosting West Georgia in a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m.

PICTURED: Trent Dooley

PHOTO BY: Chris Fenn