COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Rams kicked off Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) Thursday night on their home field, hosting the University of Pikeville (Ky.). The Bears took an early lead, and CIU could not fight back from the deficit and fell 14-7 in their home opener.  

GAME ONE: UPIKE 14 CIU 7: Pikeville pushed one run across in the second and the third but took a 7-0 lead in the fourth after scoring five runs. They tacked on two more in the fifth, but the Rams battled back to score five in the bottom of the frame. Five consecutive hits with two outs, highlighted by a Collin Greer two-RBI double, brought the lead back within reach with a score of 9-5. However, the Rams surrendered three more runs in the sixth to trail 12-5. Tre Williams singled in the eighth to score Bradley Garland, but the Bears responded with two runs in the top of the ninth. Mason Turner scored on a wild pitch in the bottom of the frame, but that was the only run CIU managed before the third out to end the game. 

Box Score Highlights: 

• Colton Lopez went 2-for-2 with three walks, while Greer, Williams, and Turner also recorded two hits. 

• Garland stole his eighth base of the season, putting him first in the AAC. 

• Davin Miller-Madden struck out six batters in 3.2 innings of work.  

Up Next: The Rams finish the series against the Bears tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 14, with the first pitch slated for noon EST.