COLUMBIA - CIU baseball put their bats to work on Thursday, but despite an impressive 11 hits were upended by St. Andrews (N.C.) 7-4. The game marked the beginning of the Rams three-game series with the Knights as CIU moved to 10-23 overall and 5-11 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) action.
Game Summary: St. Andrews wasted little time getting on the board, plating two runs in the top of the second inning on a home run.
CIU responded with a run in the bottom half of the inning on a walk by Kai Smith with the bases loaded.
The game remained close throughout, with neither team leading by more than a run. The Rams took a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the sixth inning on a homer from Collin Greer, followed by an RBI single from Jennings Greene and an RBI double from Scott McDonough.
The Knights refused to go down without a fight, erupting for two runs in the top of the seventh inning to take the lead for good. St. Andrews added two more in the ninth, and the Rams were unable to respond in the bottom of the inning to lose game one of the series.
Box Score Highlights:
- Green and McDonough each had two hits, with Green doing so in four-at-bats while McDonough recorded five trips to the plate.
- Michael Meilinger spent the longest amount of time on the mound for the Rams, throwing two K's in three innings.
Up Next: CIU rejuvenates their series with St. Andrews hosting the Knights on Saturday, Mar. 30, in a DH slated for 2:00 p.m. EST.
