COLUMBIA, S.C. - With the Appalachian Athletic Conference Tournament looming, CIU baseball played important games on Thursday as they opened their series versus Bluefield College with a doubleheader. CIU split the doubleheader as the Rams knocked off Bluefield 12-10 in game one and then fell 6-2 in game two. The series is crucial to the AAC Tournament seeding; as it stands right now, CIU (27-24) is in 7th while Bluefield (24-21) is in 9th. With the way the current standings were on Thursday evening, both teams will have to play in a single-elimination play-in-game to start the AAC Tournament. 

Game One: CIU 12 BLUE 5 - After allowing two hits to start the first inning, Justin Parish would retire the side with two straight strikeouts. The Rams scored two runs in the bottom of the 3rd to take a 2-0 lead and headed into the bottom of the 5th tied at 2-2. Grant Bodison started things off in the inning, homering to left field. A chaotic sequence would then ensue as after the Rams loaded the bases. An error from the Bluefield second baseman allowed Corley Cheeks, Gabe Austin, and Robert Bell to score after Kody Trujillo a grounder. Trujillo then scored on an error by the Bluefield third baseman, and Buddy Bleasdale followed with a two-run homer to left field. After a sac fly from Bodison and a score off a wild pitch by Gonzales, CIU led 11-2, at the end of the 5th. CIU took a 12-5 advantage going into the 9th where Bluefield would score five runs. Christian Orr stopped the bleeding from the mound, however, as CIU grabbed the 12-10 win. 

Game Two: BLUE 6 CIU 2: CIU took the lead in the 1st inning on a Gabe Austin RBI-single. The Rams fell behind, however, in the 2nd inning as a two-run home run from Elianel Mejia made the score 3-1. Carter Willis scored on a wild pitch to bring the game to 3-2 in the bottom of the 2nd. The Rams then appeared to have a promising situation, with Rafael Gonzales sitting at third and Hernandez at first after an intentional walk, but CIU was unable to capitalize. Bluefield added three runs in the 6th as the Rams trailed 6-2 heading into the final inning. CIU held Bluefield scoreless in the top of the 7th, but Bluefield's closer Justin Coleman threw three consecutive strikeouts to end the Ram's comeback hopes in the bottom of the inning. 

Doubleheader notes:

• Justin Parish picked up the win in game one with four strikeouts while Christian Orr received the save. 
• Buddy Bleasdale had three RBI's and a home run in game one in five at-bats. 
• Game one saw Grant Bodison recorded two RBI's and his fifth home run of the season.
• Game two featured Joshua Hernandez reaching base on balls three times while both Rafael Gonzales and Bodison tallied a double. 
• Trent Polly went five innings on the mound in game two, recording two strikeouts and giving up three earned runs. 

Up Next:

CIU hosts Bluefield in the final game of the series on Friday at noon. The game will be considered "Senior Day" as CIU will honor six seniors prior to the contest.