WALESKA, Ga. - After game one was postponed due to weather, CIU baseball took the field on Saturday afternoon for game one and two against No. 20 Reinhardt University (Ga.). This is the third NAIA top-25-ranked team the Rams have faced this season. After a slow offensive day, CIU dropped both games to fall 0-2 in the series.
Game One: CIU 2 RU 13: Reinhardt jumped on the board quickly and scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning. CIU remained scoreless until the fifth, when they pushed Robert Lybrand across home plate thanks to an RBI single from Carter Willis (5-1). The Eagles responded in the bottom of the inning with six more runs and two more in the sixth to extend the lead to 13-1. The Rams attempted to prevent the run rule with another run in the top of the seventh but could only scratch one before the final out.
Box Score Highlights:
- Four Rams collected a hit this afternoon.
- Willis and Jan Maldonado both picked up an RBI.
- Christian Orr got the start and struck out two.
Game Two: CIU 5 RU 11: Reinhardt's bats stayed hot into game two, scoring three runs in the first inning. However, CIU responded and added three runs to even the score 3-3, highlighted by a solo home run from Britton Morris. The Eagles added six more runs in the next three innings to extend their lead to 9-3. The Rams attempted to close the gap and added two more runs in the sixth after a single from Chase Hadley and a walk from Morris (9-5). Unfortunately, Reinhardt added two more runs in the sixth and held CIU's offense in check in the top of the seventh to sweep the day.
Box Score Highlights:
- Morris is tied for first in the AAC with eight home runs on the season.
- Price Alexander remains consistent at the plate, going 3-for-4, while Rafael Gonzales collected two hits of his own.
- Five other Rams notched one hit as well.
Up Next: CIU will return to Georgia and complete their series against Reinhardt on Monday, Mar. 6.
