COLUMBIA, S.C. – The CIU Rams planned to use the first game of their series with the No. 23 Reinhardt to celebrate the dedication of Miller Field. Unfortunately, the dedication was moved inside due to rain, but despite the change of plans, CIU received the exciting news that all $500,000 of the funds needed for the Miller fundraising campaign had been raised. The campaign's purpose was to raise money for lights for the baseball and softball fields and to dedicate the baseball field to former CIU President Dr. Johnny Miller.
Despite the cause for celebration off the field, the Rams (14-15) dropped all three of their games against Reinhardt (19-9). It was an odd series due to weather as the teams were able to get in seven innings of game one on Friday and then played the final two innings of game one on Saturday. Following game one on Saturday, the two squads played their regularly scheduled doubleheader.
Game One: RU 8 CIU 4:
- CIU never led during the contest; however, the game's highlight for the Rams game in the top of the 5th when the Rams recorded a triple play.
- Joshua Hernandez recorded a two-run home run bottom of the 3rd to cut the score to 5-3.
- Rafeal Gonzales notched a double and the Ram's only other RBI.
- Buddy Bleasdale scored the Rams fourth run off an error by the Eagles.
- Freshman Jan Maldonado closed for CIU on the mound, notching four strikeouts.
Game Two: RU 7 CIU 2:
- Game two was eerily similar to the Rams home contest with USCB earlier this season.
- The Rams recorded only one hit but reached base on balls five times.
- CIU's only hit was a home run as Hernandez recorded his 11th home run of the season. Hernandez is currently second in the AAC in home runs.
- The Ram's only other run came from Shane Hammonds off a passed ball.
Game Three: RU 7 CIU 4:
- The game's biggest play for the Rams came from Gabe Austin, who absolutely blasted a two-run home run over the left-field wall in the bottom of the 5th inning to give CIU the 3-2 lead.
- The Ram's other big play came earlier in the contest when Jalen McDuffie recorded his first triple of the season, scoring Buddy Bleasdale in the top of the 2nd.
- Skye Foster followed the triple as he picked up an RBI single to bring home McDuffie.
- Trent Polly pitched all seven innings allowing seven runs garnering two strikeouts.
What Coach Jonathan Johnson is saying:
"It was a disappointing series coming off the huge wins over No. 1 Tennessee Wesleyan. Hopefully, we can bounce back strong next week and get back to where we need to be."
Up Next:
CIU will continue AAC play next weekend at Montreat College with a three-game series.
