WESSON — Catcher Matthew Schexnayder homered and pitcherBrandon Chretien tossed a 1-hitter Thursday, leading the Co-LinWolves to a 16-0, season-opening win over the Tougaloo CollegeBulldogs. Schexnayder homered in the first inning to direct a12-hit attack on wind-swept Sullivan Field.

In the nightcap, the Wolves put away the Bulldogs by a score of19-1.

Co-Lin 16, Tougaloo 0

Schexnayder, a sophomore from Houma, La., helped lead theWolfpack to a fourth place finish in the NJCAA Division II WorldSeries last year. His solo shot over the left field fence gaveCo-Lin a 2-0 lead.

“We played good today,” said Schexnayder. “Everybody did whatthey were supposed to do.

“We have the potential to return to the World Series,”Schexnayder pointed out. “We have some good players on thisteam.”

Rightfielder Xavier Qualls accounted for Co-Lin’s first hit ofthe season, lashing a triple to the left field fence. He scored onJoel Hurt’s sacrifice fly to center. Qualls later doubled duringCo-Lin’s 7-run fourth inning.

“It feels good to get back on the field,” said Qualls, asophomore from Brookhaven. “We have been working hard to getready.”

Qualls and Schexnayder have both signed early with SoutheasternLouisiana University.

On the mound, the 6-foot-4, 205-pound Chretien overpoweredTougaloo He is from Lafayette, La.

“It felt pretty good out there,” said Chretien, a right-hander.”My fastball and curve were working pretty good. I didn’t’ use mychangeup much.”

Sophomore relief pitcher Matthew Tubbs tossed the fifth inningand held Tougaloo hitless.

Co-Lin head coach Keith Case said he was pleased to win theopener. He is recovering from a double hernia surgery performed twoweeks ago and confined to the dugout.

“Schexnayder and Qualls stayed within themselves and hit theball,” said Case. “We need our sophomores to be steady leaders forus.”

Chretien’s performance also pleased Case. “Brandon went out anddid a good job for us today. He has some things to work on. Heneeds to keep his pitches down.”

Co-Lin is scheduled to play a doubleheader Saturday at regionpowerhouse LSU-Eunice, starting at noon.

Co-Lin 19, Tougaloo 1

In the second game, Qualls powered the Wolves’ bats with a homerun, a triple and a double. Ryan Williams smashed two homers.Garrett Jones and Todd Siders followed with 2 singles apiece. RyanHoben doubled. Singling were Joel Hurt, James Landry and DaneOrders.

Posting the win was freshman right-hander Kyle Fairley with 6strikeouts in three innings. James Landry worked the fourth inningand Adam Cook finish out the fifth.

“We did what we had to do,” added Case. “We were supposed to winthese games.”

Wolf Tails: In a pregame ceremony, Shelby Caseand Hayden White, grandchildren of the late Dennis White, threw outthe season opening pitches. White was a longtime Co-Lin publicaddress announcer who died of cancer last December.