MONTREAT, N.C. - After splitting with Montreat College (20-17, 7-11 AAC) on Friday, CIU baseball picked up an important series win on Monday as they defeated the Cavaliers 5-2. The win is significant in helping CIU (13-23, 4-13 AAC) gain a foothold in the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) standings.
The Rams put the first run on the board after Britton Morris got on base on a single in the fourth inning and then scored on a wild pitch. CIU then gave up two runs to the Cavaliers before the Rams added a run off a Buddy Bleasdale single in the seventh and another off of a Carter Willis sac-fly in the eighth. On the mound, Brett Collins held back the Cavalier's offense in the bottom of the eighth, and then the Rams scored two runs off an error and an RBI-single from Robert Bell in the top of the ninth. CIU closed out the contest behind the arm of Joshua Hernandez, who threw two strikeouts in the final inning.
BOX SCORE NOTES:
- The Rams' pitching staff tallied 11 strikeouts as Brett Collins recorded four of those K's, picking up the win on the hill.
- At the plate, Buddy Bleasdale went 3-for-5, recording an RBI and two doubles.
- Robert Bell had a solid day hitting .500 with an RBI.
What Coach Jonathan Johnson is saying: "A lot of positives happened this weekend. The guys had very productive at-bats, and our arms threw great in some high-pressure situations. This was encouraging to see heading into what should be a very tough series with St Andrews."
Up Next: CIU returns home for a three-game conference series with St. Andrews (N.C.) beginning on Friday, April 1. at 6 PM.
