COLUMBIA, S.C. - CIU dropped the Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) series opener to Reinhardt University on Friday evening, falling 4-1 despite a strong effort on the mound from Campbell Denton. The Rams moved to 15-26 on the season and 11-13 in conference play.
Game: Reinhardt 4 CIU 1: Reinhardt struck early, plating three runs in the first inning on a pair of hits and a CIU error to take immediate control. The Rams settled in defensively after the opening frame, holding the Eagles scoreless through the next six innings behind solid pitching from Denton. The Eagles added an insurance run in the eighth on an RBI double to extend the lead to 4-0.
The Rams broke through in the ninth inning when Jennings Greene doubled and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Corbin Wright, but the rally fell short as Reinhardt closed out the 4-1 victory.
Denton turned in a strong outing despite the loss, tossing eight innings while allowing four runs, two earned, and striking out three. Trevor Merck added a scoreless ninth inning in relief. Greene and Wright accounted for CIU's two hits, with Wright driving in the Rams' lone run.
Up Next: CIU closes the series tomorrow, Saturday, April 11, with a doubleheader starting at 1 P.M. EST.
