Winston-Salem, N.C. - Recently billed as one of the top prospects in Division II baseball, Millersville's Brandon Miller lived up to the billing in Friday's season-opening, 3-0 win at Winston-Salem State. The junior right-hander surrendered just one hit and two baserunners while striking out nine in 6.2 innings. The Marauders received RBI hits from Dan Stoltzfus, John Brogan and Dan Neff.

Both Millersville (1-0) and Winston-Salem State (0-1) have played in at least four NCAA Atlantic Regionals since 2011, and Friday marked the fifth consecutive season that the Millersville's season opener came against the Rams. Millersville has now won back-to-back season openers for the first time since 2011-12. It was just the fifth opening day win since 2003, and Miller, Matt Ulrich, Logan Grant and Dylan Boisclair combined for the first opening day shutout victory since 1992's 1-0 win over Shepherd.

Miller walked the second batter of the game but quickly ended the first inning by getting Ivan Acuna to roll into a 4-6-3 double play. Miller faced the minimum--not allowing another base runner--until the second batter of the seventh inning. Brandon Fowler finally broke up Miller's no-hitter bid one out into the bottom of the seventh. Miller responded by striking out Acuna, and then handed the ball to Ulrich, who ended the inning and his Marauder debut with a fielder's choice. Miller fanned nine in his six-plus inning outing, striking out at least one batter in five of seven innings.

The Marauder offense staked Miller to an early lead. Neff, the No. 2 hitter, doubled in the top of the first and later scored when Stoltzfus roped a double of his own. The Marauders built the lead to 2-0 in the third when Chas McCormick, who led off with a walk, scored on Brogan's RBI single. Millersville's third run came in the top of the fourth when Neff singled in Ted Williams, who had reached with a walk. 

While the Rams could hardly manage a base runner, Millersville put 24 runners on base in nine innings, totaling nine hits and seven walks. The Marauders left 11 runners on base. Neff and Stoltzfus produced two hits apiece. Brogan reached base three times with a hit and two walks. Williams drew three walks and went 1-for-1.

Sam Burton took the loss for Winston-Salem State, allowing three runs, four walks and six hits in 3.1 innings. Roy Garrison pitched 5.2 shutout innings in relief.

The Marauders and Rams play a doubleheader Saturday.