COLUMBIA, S.C. - CIU softball hosted (RV) Truett McConnell (Ga.) on Saturday in an Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) doubleheader. The Rams entered the contest looking for a signature win versus the Bears (15-5, 8-0 AAC) and very nearly got it. The Rams dropped game one 10-0 but would lead for much of game two, eventually dropping the second contest 10-5. CIU moves to 10-16 overall and 5-9 in the AAC.
Game One: TMU 10 CIU 0: It was a tough go for the Rams, but they did pick up a hit early in the second inning from Josie Self. Self would eventually get all the way to third, but the Rams' best scoring opportunity would be thwarted as Ally Clapp was thrown out, advancing to second to end the inning. The Bears' bats put CIU in a 6-0 hole through the first two innings, and it was too much for CIU to overcome as the Bears picked up the victory in five innings.
Box Score Notes:
- Dallas Mayers and Lauren Baker were the two other players besides Self to record a hit.
- The Rams had three different pitchers make an appearance, as Julia Thielen tossing the final inning without yielding a hit.
Game Two: TMU 10 CIU 5: Despite an excellent start to the game from Miranda Fulmer in the circle, CIU found themselves down 4-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth. The Rams' offensive then came alive as CIU collected five hits in the inning. Margaret Schubert got things going with a two-RBI double, and then Heaven Zamora tacked on another run with a sac fly. Self then capped off the inning with a two-RBI deep shot over the centerfield fence to put the Rams up 5-4. However, the Bears added four unanswered in the sixth and two more in the seventh as CIU came up just short, 10-5.
Box Score Notes:
- The Rams recorded a respectable eight hits as a team with Self and Mayers each leading the way with two.
- Fulmer gave up just two earned runs in 5.2 innings pitched while recording four K's.
Up Next: The Rams will host AAC opponent Point (Ga.) in a doubleheader on Thursday, Mar. 23, with the first pitch set for 3:00 PM.
