Box Score

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. - After winning both games of their Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) doubleheader with the Royals on Thursday, CIU baseball took the first lead on Saturday but ultimately fell 4-1 in game three against Johnson University. CIU is now 8-19 on the season and 5-10 in AAC play. 

Game Three: JU 4 CIU 1: Shane Hammonds recorded the game's first hit in the second inning, but the Rams did not score until the fourth inning after an error from the Royals. However, they responded with two in the bottom of the frame to take a 2-1 lead. The Rams recorded hits in the fifth and sixth innings but could not push another run across. Johnson added two more in the bottom of the seventh for a 4-1 lead. Collin Greer led off the ninth inning with a double, but three consecutive outs derailed any chances of a comeback. 

Box Score Highlights: 

• David Mora led the team with two hits, while four others notched one. 

• Greer hit the only extra-base hit, and Colton Lopez recorded the only RBI. 

• Darius Hatchette-Dunn allowed two hits and struck out two batters in four innings of work. 

Up Next: CIU steps out of conference play for a four-game series against Carolina University (N.C.) on Mar. 22-23 in Winston-Salem, N.C.