COLUMBIA, S.C. - CIU baseball wrapped up its series with St. Andrews University (N.C.) with a conference doubleheader on Saturday. After game one (SAU 15 CIU 5) of the doubleheader did not go the Ram's way, CIU bounced back with a 3-1 game two win. The win is important because it helps CIU (14-25, 5-16) stay in the hunt for an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) postseason berth.
GAME ONE: SAU 15 CIU 5: The Rams fell behind by a run in the first inning but got the offense humming in the second. Robert Bell recorded an RBI-triple to tie the contest at 1-1, and then Shane Hammonds picked up an RBI on a groundout to give CIU the 2-1 lead. From then on the Rams' woes began as CIU found themselves down 11-2 before a Buddy Bleasdale two-run homer cut the deficit to 11-4 in the sixth. CIU ultimately added one more on a Rafael Gonzales sacrifice fly before the final out as they were tripped up 15-5.
BOX SCORE NOTES:
- Buddy Bleasdale went 2-for-4 tallying his second home run of the season.
- Robert Bell picked up a hit (RBI) and a base on balls as the veteran right fielder added a triple to his season total.
- Tyler Parker was arguably the Ram's most impactful presence on the mound, with five K's in two innings pitched.
GAME TWO: CIU 3 SAU 1 (7 Innings): Things looked bleak early in the contest after a home run from the Knights put CIU in a 1-0 hole in the second inning. However, the Rams had a response as Robert Bell hit a high fly ball over the right-field wall for a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth. Later in the inning, Shane Hammonds drove a double off the left-field wall, and Kody Trujillo scored from third after the Knight's left-fielder bobbled the ball. Up 3-1, Rodrigo Rodriguez and Brett Collins shut out St. Andrews from the mound in the final two innings as CIU secured the win.
BOX SCORE NOTES:
What Coach Jonathan Johnson is saying:
"My boys showed great resilience winning game three today after so many things going wrong in the first two games of the series. I love my guys and know they will keep fighting to finish the season strong."
Up Next:
CIU will play a midweek nonconference road game versus Truett McConnell on April. 5 at 7 p.m.