MONTREAT, N.C. – CIU baseball wrapped up its Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) opening series against Montreat College (N.C.) on Friday afternoon, falling in a tightly contested 4-3 decision. The Rams jumped out to an early lead and outhit the Cavaliers 9-8 but were unable to overcome a three-run fifth inning by the home side.

Game Three: MC 4 CIU 3: CIU wasted no time getting on the board in the top of the first. Kai Smith singled and later came around to score on an RBI single from Maddux Smith to give the Rams a 1-0 advantage. Montreat answered in the bottom half with a sacrifice fly to even the score at 1-1, but the Rams regained control in the third inning. Jennings Greene sparked the rally with a double down the left field line and moved to third on a wild pitch. Ian D'Amico followed with an RBI double to left center before Aiden Pomnitz delivered an RBI single through the left side, stretching the CIU lead to 3-1. Starting pitcher Manuel Geisel settled in after the first inning, keeping Montreat off the board through four. However, the Cavaliers capitalized on defensive miscues in the fifth and a pair of errors allowed Montreat to plate three runs—two unearned—and take a 4-3 lead they would not relinquish. CIU threatened in the sixth and eighth innings, putting runners in scoring position, but Montreat's bullpen closed the door. The Rams brought the tying run to the plate in the ninth after a two-out single from K. Smith, but a groundout ended the comeback bid.

D'Amico paced the offense with a 2-for-4 performance and an RBI, while Pomnitz added two hits and a stolen base. K. Smith reached base three times and scored once. Geisel tossed 6.0 innings, allowing four runs, while striking out five. Grayden Ross provided two scoreless innings of relief.

Up Next: The Rams return to Miller Field to host Milligan University for their first home AAC series, starting Friday, Feb. 20th, at 5 P.M. EST.