COLUMBIA, S.C – After dropping their first five games of the season, CIU baseball is back on track with their fifth win in a row. The Rams opened up Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play at home this weekend as they started a conference series with Kentucky Christian University. CIU (5-5) got up early on KCU (0-6) an never looked back securing a 6-2 victory.
How it happened: Despite several hits from the Knights in the 1st, CIU was able to hold them scoreless in the top of the inning. CIU, however, got going right away in the bottom of the 1st as Robert Bell blasted a home run over the right-field wall scoring Rafeal Gonzalez. After a Bryce Spittle single, Alex Miller added more runs on the board with a deep double that brought Spittle home. After starting pitcher Brett Collins and company kept the Knights to a goose egg in the top of the 2nd, the Rams would score again. Joshua Hernandez connected for a two-run homer to give CIU the 5-0 advantage. KCU cut into the deficit in the 6th inning, tallying two runs. The Rams answered in the bottom of the inning when Shane Hammonds grounded into a double play, but Kody Trujillo would score from third base, adding to the Rams run total. Trent Polly relieved Brett Collins in top of the 6th and would close out the game as CIU moves to 1-0 in the AAC with the 6-2 win.
Game Notes:
- Joshua Hernandez picked up his 7th home run of the season and now sits in second in the NAIA in total home runs.
- Robert Bell continues to rack up the home runs as the junior picked up his 3rd of the season.
- Rafeal Gonzalez has been a spark for CIU as of late as he picked up three hits, including a double, and scored two runs.
- Brett Collins picked up his second win on the mound as the Georgia native recorded three strikeouts, pitching almost six innings.
Hear from Coach Jonathan Johnson postgame:
Up Next:
CIU will take on Kentucky Christian in a doubleheader on Saturday, beginning at 2 PM.
