COLUMBIA, S.C. - After taking an early lead in game one of their doubleheader with Truett-McConnell (Ga.) on Friday, CIU baseball was within reach of their first Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) series win. CIU ultimately could not keep up with the Bears' offensive and dropped both games. The Rams are now 6-17 and 3-9 in conference play.
Game Two: Truett 15 CIU 5: The Rams took the lead after RBIs from Shane Hammonds and Scott McDonough in the first and then doubled their lead in the second after a wild pitch and groundout (4-0). JT Stanley held the Bears hitless until the fourth inning when he gave up a solo homer. Truett added four more in the fifth to take a 5-4 lead. They continued this offensive momentum with eight runs in the next two frames to lead 13-4. Truett added two more, and CIU added one in the final frame to give game two to the Bears.
Box Score Highlights:
Game Three: Truett 12 CIU 2: Truett took a quick lead after scoring nine runs in the first two innings, but Emmanuel Maldonado broke up the no-hitter and drove in CIU's first run in the bottom of the third (9-1). The Bears added another in the fourth and two in the sixth to extend their lead to 12-1. The Rams scored one run in the bottom of the seventh off an RBI double from Brandon Arnold, but a strikeout and groundout ended the game in favor of Truett.
Box Score Highlights:
-
Maldonado and Collin Greer recorded two hits a piece, while Lovera reached base twice on walks.
-
Collin Otte and Chase Denton combined for no hits and four strikeouts in the final three innings of the contest.
Up Next: CIU steps out of conference play to host Toccoa Falls College on Tuesday, March 12, at 4 p.m. EST.
