COLUMBIA, S.C. - After taking game one in seven innings last night, CIU baseball took the field after celebrating their seniors to close out their series against Kentucky Christian University. CIU easily took game two after a big seventh inning, but game three was a back-and-forth affair. However, the Rams' offense kept things going to give CIU the conference sweep over Kentucky Christian.
GAME TWO: CIU 7 KCU 1: CIU struck first after a single from Joshua Hernandez to score James Lovera in the bottom of the first inning (1-0). They extended their lead by one run in the second after a single from Rafael Gonzales and another in the fourth thanks to a sac fly from Carter Willis (3-0). The Knights cut the lead to two runs after three back-to-back singles in the fifth. Both teams were scoreless until the bottom of the seventh when CIU added four more runs with two outs after three walks, an error, and a double from Hernandez. This was the last time either team would score to give CIU the 2-0 lead in the series over KCU.
Box Score Highlights:
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Hernandez led the way at the plate, going 4-for-5 with a two-RBI double. He is now tied for first on the squad with doubles (9).
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Lovera picked up three hits, Price Alexander picked up two, and three other Rams collected a hit.
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Christian Orr got the start on the mound, only allowing one earned run in seven innings. Dean Seelbach closed it out for the Rams, striking out two in two innings.
GAME THREE: CIU 9 KCU 8: The Knights got an early lead, scoring two in the first after an error and two singles. CIU responded with four of their own in the second, thanks to an RBI double from Britton Morris that scored Alexander and Willis. KCU cut the lead to just one (4-3) after a sac fly in the third, but the Rams tallied another in the bottom of the inning after a double from Willis scored Alexander. The Knights scored three in the top of the fifth to lead 6-5 until three walks and a two-RBI single from Willis put CIU back on top. However, KCU was not done fighting and added two more in the sixth to take the lead once again. Hernandez responded for the Rams with a single to left field to score two runners. CIU entered the top of the seventh up by one (9-8), and a three up, three down inning would give the Rams the conference sweep.
Box Score Highlights:
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Deric Hanko only allowed four earned runs in five innings with five strikeouts. Closer Noah Moody only allowed one hit in 1.2 innings.
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Gonzales led the Rams with three hits for his 11th multi-hit game of the season. Willis and Hernandez notched two hits a piece and a total of five RBI.
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Three others collected one hit, and four reached base by way of a walk.
What Coach Jonathan Johnson is saying:
"It's extremely hard to sweep a conference opponent. Our guys fought hard for three games to solidify the sweep. There is a good chance we will need all three of those wins to make the postseason. I was very pleased with the overall effort and focus from the boys this weekend."
Up Next: CIU hosts Vorhees College (S.C.) on Tuesday, April 18, at 4 PM.
