COLUMBIA, S.C. - CIU completed a dominant doubleheader sweep of Bryan College (Tenn.) on Friday, earning back-to-back shutout victories in Dayton, Tenn. The Rams claimed a 4-0 win in game one before grinding out a 2-0 extra-inning victory in game two, improving to 28-10 on the season and 11-7 in Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) play.
Game One: CIU 4 Bryan 0: Both teams traded scoreless innings early as pitchers controlled the pace through the first two frames. CIU broke through in the third inning when Raleigh Stewart reached and advanced into scoring position before Caydon Thompson delivered a sacrifice fly to bring in the game's first run. The Rams added insurance in the fifth inning, capitalizing on a Bryan miscue. After a single from Sophia Noriega-Mora and a catcher's interference call put two runners on, Tristan Phillips delivered the biggest swing of the game, launching a three-run home run to extend the CIU lead to 4-0. From there, the Rams relied on their defense and pitching to close things out.
Isabella Davis was outstanding in the circle, tossing a complete game shutout while striking out two without issuing a walk. Offensively, Phillips led the way with three RBIs on her home run, while Thompson added an RBI on the sacrifice fly. Stewart scored twice and added a hit.
Game Two: CIU 2 Bryan 0 (10 inn.): In a tightly contested pitcher's duel, both teams were held scoreless through the first nine innings despite multiple scoring opportunities. The Rams finally broke through in the 10th inning under the international tiebreaker rule. With Stewart placed on second to start the frame, Phillips delivered an RBI double to give CIU the lead. After advancing to third on a sacrifice bunt, Phillips came home on a sacrifice groundout from Abigail Guthrie, extending the lead to 2-0. Bryan looked to answer in the bottom half, loading the bases with one out, but CIU's defense held strong. Abby Ragan recorded consecutive strikeouts to end the game and preserve the shutout.
Ragan was dominant in the circle, tossing a complete game shutout over 10 innings while allowing 11 hits and striking out 11. At the plate, Phillips led the way with two hits and the game-winning RBI, while Guthrie added two hits and an RBI. Lilli Petty also recorded three hits as the Rams produced 10 total hits in the victory.
Up Next: CIU closes out the weekend with another AAC doubleheader tomorrow, Saturday, April 11, against Tennessee Wesleyan University at 1 and 3 P.M, EST.
