EASLEY, S.C. - It was day one of the 2021 NCCAA World Series on Friday as CIU baseball began pool play. The Rams took on the No. 6 seed College of the Ozarks (Mo.) (15-21) at 10 AM and then faced off against the No. 10 seed Toccoa Falls (Ga.) (15-27) at 4 PM. While CIU (34-26) struggled early against the Ozarks, the Rams would glide past the Bobcats 6-2 and then defeat Toccoa 12-3. After their undefeated performance, CIU is the clear favorite to win their Pool B as No. 2 Concordia (Mich.) was upset earlier in the day by No. 7 Kansas Christian. 

Game One: CIU 6 Ozarks 2: It was a quiet first four innings for both teams as CIU's Justin Parish and Ozark's Spencer Green battled their way through a pitching duel. CIU struck first in the top of the 5th inning as the Rams attempted a double steal with two outs and runners in the corners as Grant Bodison stood on first and Carter Willis stood on third. Fortunately for the Rams, the Bobcat's second baseman dropped the throw from the catcher, and Willis would score. The Ozarks responded in the bottom of the inning with two runs of their own, but the Rams answered in the 6th. Back-to-back-to-back singles from Alex Miller, Rafael Gonzales, and Willis loaded the bases, and from there, the Rams took advantage of the situation. CIU scored five runs in a plethora of ways, including two errors and a sac fly as the Rams seized the 6-2 lead. Christian Orr was solid in the 7th inning as CIU took the win. 

Game Notes:

• Justin Parish threw a postseason high eight strikeouts, but Christian Orr received the win picking up four strikeouts and holding the Bobcats scoreless through three innings.
• Carter Willis led CIU in hits with two while Grant Bodison reached base four times, twice on base on balls and twice after being hit by a pitch. 

Game Two: CIU 12 TFC 3: A double from Grant Bodison followed by a double from Joshua Hernandez put the Rams on the board in the 1st inning. CIU added a run in the 2nd but fell behind in the 3rd on a three-run home run from the Screaming Eagles. A two-RBI single from Kody Trujillo highlighted the bottom of the 4th as CIU snagged a 6-3 lead. After a score in the bottom of the 4th on a passed ball, Bodison hit a two-run home run into the centerfield bleachers to put CIU up 9-3. The Rams capped off the contest with a three-run home run in the 6th inning from Carter Willis as CIU cruised to the 12-3 victory. 

Game Notes:

• Carter Willis hit his fifth home run of the season resulting in three RBI's.
• Joshua Hernandez notched two RBI's after being walked twice and recording a hit. 
• Grant Bodison added his ninth home run of the season, going 3-4 with two RBI's.
• Dalton Langley recorded the win as Tyler Parker received the save as the duo combined for four K's.

What Coach Jonathan Johnson is saying: 

"We have put ourselves in a great position. It's been a tremendous effort of pitching defense and solid at-bats. If the guys stay focused, we are gonna be a tough out."

Up Next: CIU will continue in NCCAA World Series pool play on Saturday, taking on the No. 2 seed Concordia (Mich.) at 7 PM at Southern Wesleyan University.