Andrew Czech (Walsh) was 4-for-4 at the plate and Hunter Illing (Charleston Southern) came through with a clutch save to lead the Braves to a 6-5 win at Front Royal.
The Braves took the led in the fourth on a run-scoring single by Ron Brown (Houston) and a sacrifice fly by Logan Flood (St. Leo).
After the Cardinals tied the score at 2-2, the Braves scored four times in the sixth to retake the lead. Colin Brophy led off the inning with a double and scored on a single by Ryan McCarty (PSU-Abington) to give the Braves a 3-2 lead.
A run-scoring single by Casey Haire (High Point) made it 4-2 before the Braves loaded the bases on a single by Duncan Pastore (Nova Southeastern) and a walk to Eli Davis (Arkansas State). Czech then doubled to center, scoring two runs for a 6-2 lead.
Front Royal scored two runs in the bottom of the sixth and threatened to move ahead in the eight. The Cardinals pushed one across in the eighth and had the bases loaded with two outs when the Braves summoned Illing from the bullpen. Illing retired Mason Nadeau on grounder to first to get out of the jam.
Illing then retired the side in order in the ninth to earn the save.
Lliam Grubbs (JMU) gave the Braves a solid start, allowing two runs on three hits in 4.2 innings. He struck out seven batters.