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Columbia International University Athletics

Rob Bell vs usc salk
6
Columbia Int'l CIU 0-1
16
Winner Southeastern SEUBA21 1-0
Columbia Int'l CIU
0-1
6
Final
16
Southeastern SEUBA21
1-0
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 R H E
Columbia Int'l CIU 0 2 0 0 0 1 3 6 8 3
Southeastern SEUBA21 0 3 2 0 2 4 5 16 16 2

W: Ryan Munoz (1-0) L: Parish, Justin (0-1) S: Brenden Heiss (1)

Game Recap: Baseball | | gfrierson

CIU hits three home runs in season-opening loss to #1 Southeastern

LAKELAND, Fla. – After almost a year away from the field due to COVID-19 CIU baseball is back. The Rams opened the season against the NAIA #1 ranked Southeastern Fire Friday night. The contest was the first of a three-game series that will finish up on Saturday. Despite CIU seeing three home runs from three different players, the Rams struggled at the mound giving up the most runs in their very short program history. CIU led early but would fall to the 2019 NAIA World Series Champions 16-6.

How It Happened: Carter Willis led off for the Rams and got on base on the game's first pitch after a bunt single. Willis would get into scoring position after reaching second on a throwing error and third on a wild pitch; however, CIU was unable to capitalize. The Ram's next offensive burst came in the top of the second as Alex Miller homered to send Shane Hammonds home, and the Rams jumped to an early 2-0 lead.

The Rams bats would stay silent over the next four innings as the Fire rattled off seven unanswered runs. However, in the top of the sixth, Georgia Gwinnett transfer Gabe Austin stepped up to the plate and hit a solo home run to cut the deficit to 7-3.

With the Rams trailing 11-3 at the top of the seventh, CIU looked to their freshmen as Corely Cheeks, and Jan Maldonado singled to get on base. After Carter Willis struck out, Joshua Hernandez got on base on the fielder's choice as Maldonado was thrown out. The Rams then received a huge boost as Robert Bell homered over the centerfield wall scoring Hernandez and Cheeks and cutting the lead to 11-6. However, a disastrous bottom of the 7th would cost CIU the game as the Rams yielded five runs for a final of 16-6.

Game Notes:

  • The familiar face of designated hitter Alex Miller made the most of his one at-bat, hitting a home run and recording two RBI's.
  • While Robert Bell only had one hit in four at-bats, the CIU right-fielder hit his second home run as a Ram picking up three RBI's in the process.
  • The Fire steered clear of the big bat of Shane Hammonds as he was walked in his two at-bats.
  • Newcomers Corley Cheeks and Gabe Austin made an impact in their first game as Rams; Cheeks had two hits in three at-bats while Austin had two hits, including a home run.
  • The Rams pitching staff will be looking to put the contest behind them as they gave up 16 runs, and 16 hits in 32 at-bats while walking seven Fire batters. Reliever Jake Lewis led the Rams in strikeouts with two. 
What Coach Jonathan Johnson is saying:

"I was very pleased with the at-bats tonight. We faced some great arms and held our own. We have to continue to get better on defense and on the mound if we want to win big games. We will continue to fight and improve as a team. Our goal is in sight we just need to do the little things well."

Up Next:

CIU will be back in action tomorrow as they take on Southeastern in a doubleheader beginning at 12 PM.

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