COLUMBIA, S.C. - The Rams (6-8) kicked off Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play on their home field on Friday night against (RV) Tennessee Wesleyan University (1-1). CIU narrowly lost game one, but the squad bounced back and run-ruled the Bulldogs 13-2 for their first-ever win over the Bulldogs and first AAC win of the season.
Game One: TWU 4 CIU 2: Both teams went scoreless in the first two frames, but the Bulldogs struck first with three runs in the third inning. The Rams responded with one run in the bottom of the inning from a sac fly from Macey Drye. TWU added another in the fourth, but a bases-loaded walk to Megan Stolzenbach brought the Rams within two after four innings (4-2). The Bulldogs loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth, but a play up the middle from Dallas Mayers ended the threat. Megan Stolzenbach and Drye hit back-to-back singles to start the seventh, but the next three Rams went down in order to prevent the comeback.
Box Score Highlights:
Game Two: CIU 13 TWU 2: The Bulldogs took a quick 2-0 lead in the top of the first. However, the Rams took their first lead of the day after a three-run second inning. Hannah Murphy led off with a solo shot, followed by a single from Sophia Noriega, and a walk to Stolzenbach pushed two more across the plate. CIU added four more in the third with an RBI single from Abby Guthrie and a three-RBI double from Stolzenbach (7-2). The bats stayed hot for the Rams and scored six more runs in the fourth, highlighted by a three-RBI double from Kaitlyn Elko, to lead 13-2. CIU allowed one hit in the top of the fifth, but a ground out ended the game for a run-rule AAC win.
Box Score Highlights:
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Alexuz Barnes, Noriega, and Guthrie led the team with two hits.
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Stolzenbach led with four RBI, while Elko recorded three.
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Izzy Davis gave up just five hits and two runs in five innings of work to pick up her third win of the season.
What Coach Allen is saying, "What a great way to start conference play! I'm incredibly proud of how we responded after a tough, competitive game one. We showed resilience, fought hard, and proved that we belong in these big moments. This team believes in what we're building, and I have no doubt we'll continue to hit major milestones as the season progresses."
Up Next: The Rams have a quick turnaround, taking on Bluefield University (Va.) tomorrow, Saturday, March 1st, at 1 and 3 p.m. EST.
