Armed with the experience of advancing to the NJCAA Division I World Series last season, the Temple College baseball team knows it needs to play its best in April and May - not late January.

That said, the Leopards must be encouraged by their season-opening performance against Galveston College.

With Belton products and sophomore transfers Brooks Kimmey and Matt Dunn looking sharp in their TC debuts, the Leopards used strong pitching and defense and just enough offense to clip the Whitecaps 3-2 on a chilly Friday at Danny Scott Sports Complex.

Sophomore right-handers Kane Holbrooks, Corey Frerichs and Dunn pitched three innings apiece, allowing seven hits and striking out nine Whitecaps.

Tyler Jett drove in what proved to be the winning run with a fourth-inning flyout, catcher Kimmey threw out two would-be base stealers, and left fielder Austin Turner cut down a runner at second base in the ninth to prevent a double and stop Galveston