WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. - CIU baseball (12-11, 5-7 AAC) stepped out of conference play for a midweek contest against NCCAA South Region and NAIA opponent Carolina University (N.C.) (5-9). The Rams took an early lead but played from behind until the fifth inning and ultimately held off the Bruins for a 13-9 win. 

CIU 13 7 CU 9: CIU quickly led 4-0 in the first frame after four hits, but the Bruins responded with four of their own to even the score. A Carolina grand slam in the second gave them an 8-4 lead. The Rams chipped away at this lead in the fourth with an RBI single from Maurice Gomez and a sac fly from Graham Peeler to come within two (8-6). CIU took the lead in the fifth, highlighted by a three-run homer from Bradley Garland and a solo shot from Gomez (11-8). The Bruins added one in the bottom of the frame, but both teams went scoreless in the sixth and seventh. The Rams took advantage of a defensive miscue to score two more runs and lead 13-9. Michael Meilinger and Collin Otte sat the Bruins' offensive down in order in the final two innings to secure the Rams' 13-9 win. 

Box Score Highlights: 

• Six Rams recorded two hits in the contest. 

• Garland led the team with three RBI. 

• Darius Hatchette-Dunn led the pitching staff with five strikeouts in two innings. 

Up Next: CIU takes on Johnson University (Tenn.) this weekend, March 14-15, with the first pitch slated for 4 p.m. EST on Friday.