COLUMBIA, S.C. - CIU baseball faced off against Johnson University (Tenn.) in a competitive AAC series this weekend, looking to bounce back after a tough stretch. The Rams (13-12, 5-8 AAC) rallied in game two, securing a thrilling 2-1 victory on an eighth-inning home run, but could not carry the momentum into game three, falling 7-5 to the Royals (18-4, 8-2 AAC) in a hard-fought contest.

GAME TWO: CIU 2 JU 1: Game two of the series was a pitcher's dual. Johnson took a 1-0 lead in the first inning, but neither team scored again until the bottom of the eighth. The Rams threatened to score in the third after a Bradley Garland single moved Aidan Pridgen into scoring position, but the inning expired with Pridgen on third. Two double plays from the Rams prevented the Royals from gaining too much offensive momentum. A two-out single from Tanner Henderson in the eighth allowed Garland to call the game with his third home run of the season and put the Rams ahead. Connor Kirkley closed out the game with two strikeouts and a fly-out to secure CIU's 14th win of the season. 

Box Score Highlights: 

• Garland and Henderson led the team with two hits, with Garland's homerun leading CIU to victory. 

• Noah Davis allowed just one run in 5.0 IP, and Michael Meilenger recorded his second win of the season, allowing one hit with two strikeouts in 3.0 IP.

• Kirkland picked up his first save. 

GAME THREE: JU 7 CIU 5: Once again, Johnson took an early lead after scoring two in the third inning, and CIU did not respond until a sac fly from Tre Williams in the bottom of the fourth (2-1). The Royals answered with three runs in the fifth to extend their lead by four. Three consecutive hits for the Rams in the sixth, including an RBI pinch hit from Jordan Murphy, brought CIU within one heading into the final frame (5-4). Two hits and a few pitching miscues allowed Johnson to push two more runs across the plate in the seventh inning. Pridgen scored on a wild pitch to add one more for CIU, but two strikeouts ended the contest. 

Box Score Highlights: 

• Maurice Gomez and Graham Peeler led the team with two hits. 

• Garland, Murphy, and Kai Smith also recorded a hit.

Up Next: CIU steps out of conference play to take on Carolina University (N.C.) on the road next weekend, March 21-22, for a three-game series beginning at 4 p.m. EST.