COLUMBIA - CIU baseball recorded a statement win to begin their series with Milligan University (Tenn.) Friday evening. The Rams run-ruled the Buffaloes 13-3 in game one in what will be a critical series with Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) postseason implications for both teams. The win elevates the Rams to 24-16 overall and 10-12 in the AAC.

Game Summary: It was an offensive showcase for CIU as the bat's started humming in the second, an inning in which CIU entered with a 3-1 advantage. A Maurice Gomez RBI-single set up a Tre Williams grand slam that put CIU up 8-1. CIU would not step off the gas as a Williams two-RBI double gave way to a Mason Turner two-RBI homer to put the Rams up 12-2 in the bottom of the fourth. Both teams added one more before the final out, but Hunter Cherry racked up three strikeouts in relief to help the Rams run-rule the Buffs in six and a half innings.

Box Score Highlights:

• Williams and Turner were both superb at the plate, with Williams chalking up six RBIs on two hits while Turner recorded his seventh home run of the season.  
• Davin Miller-Madden was an important piece to the Ram's win as the junior tossed three strikeouts in five innings to haul in his fourth win of the season.
• Gomez, Bradley Garland, and Daniel Sidoti each tallied two hits of their own as the Rams reached double-digit hits as a team for the 21st time this season.

Up Next: The Rams will face Milligan at noon ET tomorrow, Saturday, April 12. in a doubleheader at Miller Field.