Columbia International University Athletics

LAKELAND, Fla - The reigning NCCAA National Champions Rams began the 2022 regular season looking to carry over the success they had from last season. The CIU baseball team begins it's the third season in program history in Lakeland, Florida, taking on the Southeastern University Fire. The Rams bring back eight starters from last year, hoping to retool and build on an already veteran team. Despite the off-season momentum, CIU was unable to steal a game from the Fire, dropping both games in Friday's doubleheader. 

Game One: CIU 4 SEU 13 

How It Happened: Southeastern got out to an early 3-0 lead through the first four innings, holding the Rams scoreless. In the fourth inning, Carter Willis put CIU on the scoreboard for the first time in 2022, advancing on a wild pitch cutting the Fire lead to two. The Rams carried this momentum over to the fifth as Grant Bodison hit an RBI triple to right-center, scoring Kody Trujillo and Rodrigo Rodriquez tying the game at three-all. Shortly after, Carter Willis hit an RBI double to left field, sending Chase Hadley home to take the first lead of the game. However, Southeastern wouldn't go away as the Fire went on a scoring spree in the fifth and 6th innings, scoring eight runs on seven hits. This late offensive run was too much for the Rams, as CIU dropped its first game 13-4. 

Game Two: CIU 6 SEU 11 

How It Happened: Southeastern got on the board first inning, scoring two runs off of a two-run homer to center field. The Southeastern bats kept hitting their mark, as they would score five runs off four hits in the bottom of the third inning. The Rams batted in two runs in the 6th inning as Buddy Bleasdale hit an RBI double to right-center. Carter Willis scored on an error by the Fire shortstop, cutting the lead to four runs. Later in the inning, Buddy Bleasdale reached on an error by the Southeastern third basemen, heading into the bottom of the sixth down only three runs. However, the Fire would respond, scoring four runs off four hits and two errors in the bottom of the seventh to go up 11-4. The Rams tried to make a late comeback in the eighth, as Kody Trujilo hit an RBI double down the left-field line, narrowing the lead to only five. Despite a late offensive comeback, the Rams couldn't overcome the Fire and would lose 11-6. 

Game Notes: 

• Carter Willis had a big day with two hits, two runs, and an RBI. 
• Buddy Bleasdale had two RBI's, a hit, and one run in the second game, giving CIU an offensive spark. 
• Justin Parish started the first game with seven strikeouts, giving up only six hits and three runs. 

What Coach Johnson is saying: 
"We had positive moments today, but top to bottom didn't do what we needed to do to give ourselves a chance to win. We will see how we bounce back tomorrow as we continue to compete with a very good Southeastern team." 

Up Next: CIU will stay in Lakeland tomorrow to play one more game against the Fire at 12 PM to finish the weekend.