Staff report

ROCKY MOUNT — USA South Pitcher of the Year Cordarius Butler (A.L. Brown) keyed a win by N.C. Wesleyan’s baseball team on Friday in the opening game of the USA South Tournament championship series.

Butler threw 131 pitches in seven innings as N.C. Wesleyan beat second-seeded Brevard 8-3.

Butler (11-0) struck out 10 and walked four. He allowed six hits.

Tyson Bass drove in five runs for top-seeded N.C. Wesleyan.

CP Pyle (Carson) was one of the top hitters for Brevard, He had two hits and two walks in his five trips to the plate and scored a run.

The teams are scheduled to play at 2 p.m. on Saturday. If Brevard wins, the teams would meet again to decide the title at 5 p.m.

The winner will advance to NCAA regional play.