COLUMBIA, S.C. - CIU baseball hosted Spartanburg Methodist (15-23) on Wednesday evening for a non-conference matchup at Miller Field. The Rams (22-16, 9-12 AAC) exploded for nine runs in the fifth inning, pulling away for a dominant midweek win over the Pioneers.

CIU 9 SMC 0: The Rams looked poised to strike early in the first inning after back-to-back singles from Maurice Gomez and Mason Turner, but a double play halted the momentum. It then became a pitcher's duel, as Matthew Garris and the Pioneers' starter allowed just three combined hits through the next three innings. Spartanburg Methodist loaded the bases with one out in the top of the fifth, but a pair of pop-ups kept the game scoreless. CIU broke things open in the bottom half of the inning, erupting for nine runs on six hits, highlighted by multi-RBI knocks from Tre Williams and Kai Smith. Collin Otte and Hunter Cherry handled the final four frames, surrendering just two hits to keep the Pioneers off the board. 

Box Score Highlights: 

• Turner led the team with two hits for his 15th (team best) multi-hit game of the season. 

• Williams and Smith led with two RBI each. 

• Garris recorded his fourth win on the mound and Otte led the staff with three strikeouts. 

Up Next: The Rams hit the field tomorrow, Wednesday, April 9, for back-to-back non-conference contests, CIU faces Toccoa Falls College at 2 p.m. EST in Toccoa Falls, Ga.