COLUMBIA, S.C. - After falling to Toccoa Falls College (Ga.) earlier in the season, CIU took the field hoping to flip the script on Tuesday evening. Toccoa held onto the lead for most of the game, but CIU entered the final inning up by one. However, a big ninth inning from the Screaming Eagles gave them a 12-8 victory over the Rams.
Both teams scored one in the first, but the Screaming Eagles took the lead in the second. They extended their lead in the fourth (3-1) until the Rams tied it up in the third thanks to a walk from Joshua Hernandez and a groundout from Emmanuel Maldonado.
Toccoa responded with three runs in the top of the seventh, but CIU took the lead on three-run blast from Britton Morris (7-6). Both teams scored one in the eighth, and the Rams entered the final inning leading by one. The Screaming Eagles pushed five across in the top of the inning off of five hits and one error. CIU got two runners on after a double from Chase Hadley and a walk from Tanner Martinez, but they could not force any runs across to fall to Toccoa.
Box Score Highlights:
- Morris hit his ninth home run of the season to give CIU the lead in the seventh.
- Martinez and Carter Willis led the team with two hits apiece, and seven Rams notched at least one hit.
Up Next: CIU hosts Kentucky Christian University on Friday and Saturday, April. 14-15. Friday's game will begin at 5:00 PM with Senior Day scheduled for Saturday's doubleheader. First pitch on is slated for noon with Senior recognition beginning at 11:45 AM.
