PINEVILLE, La. - CIU baseball kicked off a six-game weekend with a seven-inning doubleheader against Louisiana Christian University on Thursday afternoon. The Rams produced timely hits and received solid performances from the bullpen in both contests, but were unable to overcome early runs by the Wildcats, dropping the pair by scores of 7-2 and 5-1. 

Game One: LCU 7 CIU 2: Despite a first-inning single from Corbin Wright, the Wildcats took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the frame after two defensive miscues from the Rams. They added four more before CIU scored in the sixth with a two-run homer from Daniel Sidoti (6-2). LCU added one more before the final inning, and CIU was unable to respond to the deficit. 

Wright paced the Rams offense with two hits, while Kai Smith and Sidoti each added one. Sidoti's hit marked the first home run of the season for the CIU lineup. Out of the bullpen, five Rams saw action, with Miller Stuck and Julian Rivera each giving up just one hit.

Game Two: LCU 5 CIU 1: Sidoti and Wright continued their hot hitting in game two with back-to-back singles in the first, though the Rams were unable to bring them home. The Wildcats quickly jumped out to a 2–0 lead in the bottom of the inning on two solo home runs. CIU put runners on in the second and third innings, while LCU added two runs in the third and extended its lead with one in the fourth to make it 5–0. Three consecutive hits in the sixth allowed Sidoti to drive in Harryson Wiggins and put the Rams on the board. The Wildcats were held scoreless in their final two at-bats, and CIU was unable to add any further runs for a comeback victory. 

Smith led the team with two hits, while six other Rams recorded a hit. Alex Wiltz, Campbell Denton, and Collin Otte combined for one hit allowed, and Michael Meilinger led the staff with two strikeouts. 

Up Next: CIU heads to Hattiesburg, Miss., to take on Campbellsville University (Ky.) at 11 AM CST and No. 11 William Carey University (Miss.) at 2:30 PM CST tomorrow, Friday, Feb. 6th.