COLUMBIA, SC - The CIU Rams softball team was back on their home field for the first time since 2020. The Rams coming off of a strong weekend, where they finished 2-1 at the Trinity Baptist Invitational. The Rams looked to down the Carolina University Bruins, with games starting at 1 and 3 PM. With perfect weather conditions in the mid-70s, the Rams orchestrated two impressive wins over the Bruins.
Game One
How It Happened:
- Carolina University got off to a hot start in the first inning, scoring a run to go up 1-0 on the Rams.
- CIU responded in the bottom of the 2nd, as Robyn Andrews blasted a single to right-center field, scoring Hannah Brooke and Ashlee Chinn in the process to give CIU the go-ahead score.
- The Rams began to find some rhythm in the 5th inning, as Haylee Wilkerson blasted a double to left field, scoring Kaitlynn Creel and Shannon Patton. CIU had a comfortable lead heading into the 6th inning.
- Carolina University wouldn't go away, however, as Maggie Smith hit a three-run homer to tie the game at four-all.
- The game remained tied until the 7th. The Rams had two on base, as Heaven Zamora was up to bat. Zamora hit a grounder to 3rd base, blasting it past the shortstop to give CIU the walk-off winning run.
Game Two
How it Happened:
- After a thrilling game one, the Rams got off to a fast start in game two, as Robyn Andrews hit a one-run home run in her first at-bat. This was Andrews' first home run of the season.
- Carolina University still had a fight left in them, as they found a way to score three runs in the top of the third off of three hits and an error.
- The game remained tied until the 4th inning, until Robyn Andrews scored from third on an error by the Bruins third basemen throwing home. In the same inning, Kaitlynn Creel tagged up from third base and went home off a Haylee Wilkerson fly out to give CIU the tying run.
- CIU got the go-ahead run in the 5th inning from a Hannah Brooke double, scoring Shannon Patton, giving CIU a 4-3 lead over Carolina University.
- The CIU bats exploded in the 6th inning, as Sarah Trawick blasted a RBI double to deep left-center, as Haylee Wilkerson and Heaven Zamora, giving the Rams a commanding 6-3 lead, securing the victory for CIU.
Key Players:
- Sarah Trawick hit an RBI double in the second game, helping lift CIU to victory.
- Robyn Andrews registered three hits and four RBIs through both games.
- Haylee Wilkerson batted in three RBIs, along with two runs on the day.
What Coach Allen is Saying:
"Today was a great team win and a nice confidence booster going into AAC games on Saturday. Our defense was stellar and gave us the opportunity to win. We also had some really timely hitting which is something we struggled with early on, so it's nice to see all the pieces start to fall into place. Our girls showed some great fight today!"
Up Next:
The Rams look to defeat their first AAC opponent of the season on Saturday at 1 and 3.
