LAURINBURG - CIU baseball and St. Andrews University (N.C.) opened their Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) series on Friday, with both teams needing to win the series to hold steady in the conference standings. The Rams (17-15, 6-10 AAC), however, dropped the game 4-0.

Game One: SAU 4 CIU 0: Tre Williams chalked up a single in the second inning, but it was the only offensive success either team experienced until the Knights scored three runs in the third. Back-to-back singles from Kai Smith and Colton Lopez helped Smith reach third in the top of the fourth, but the shortstop was left stranded. CIU would have another scoring opportunity in the top of the ninth as Smith and Graham Peeler both record hits. Unfortunately, both Smith and Peeler were left on base when the final out was recorded.

Box Score Notes:

• Davin Miller-Madden looked sharp on the mound, with four strikeouts in six innings of work, while Michael Meilinger closed the game, allowing one earned run and recording a strikeout.
• Smith represented CIU well at the plate, going 2-for-4 on the afternoon.

Up Next: The Rams will look to take the series from the Knights with a doubleheader starting tomorrow, Mar. 29, at noon ET in Laurinburg.