St. Mark's senior Austin Cave struck out 12 batters and had three hits to lead his team past Middlesex 7-3 in the 2013 baseball season opener.

Middlesex was the first team to get on the board after Drew Coash led off the inning with a bloop single and advanced to second after a wild pitch. Aaron Swenson propeled Coash to third with a groundout and Coash later scored on yet another wild pitch. St. Mark's tied the game in the top of the second and went ahead for good with three more in the top of the third off of Middlesex starting pitcher Nick Widen. The Lions then extended their lead with one in the fourth and two in the fifth. Middlesex threatened in the bottom of the seventh, scoring twice and bringing the tying run to the plate before two strikeouts ended the game.

Joe Frye led the Middlesex offense with two hits and also struck out two batters in one inning pitched. Freshman Kai Long made his mound debut for the Zebras, striking out six in three innings of work.

Middlesex will look to rebound against St. Paul's on Wednesday in Concord, NH.