COLUMBIA, S.C. - CIU split a Tuesday doubleheader against NCCAA opponent Paine College, falling 12-5 in game one before responding with a 9-2 victory in the nightcap. The Rams moved to 15-25 overall on the season, using a nine-run sixth inning in game two to secure the bounce-back win.
Game One: Paine 12 CIU 5: The Rams answered Paine's two-run first with a run of their own, but left the bases loaded, a theme that continued as CIU repeatedly put runners in scoring position without timely hits. After Paine stretched the lead to 7-1 in the second, CIU responded with two runs on an RBI double from Chance Weathersbee and an RBI single from Daniel Sidoti to make it 7-3.
CIU added another run in the third on a Paine error, but the Lions pulled away with four runs in the fourth and another in the fifth to make it 12-4. The Rams threatened again in the fifth with bases loaded but came up empty, and added their final run in the sixth on an RBI single from Jennings Greene.
Aiden Pomnitz and Greene led the squad with two hits, both contributing RBI. On the mound, six Rams saw action, with Austin Trapp and Owen West combining for two scoreless innings to close the game.
Game Two: CIU 9 Paine 2: Paine struck first, capitalizing on early CIU errors to take a 2-0 lead through two innings despite limited offensive production. The Rams struggled to generate momentum early, managing just one hit through the first four innings while leaving runners stranded in scoring position.
The breakthrough came in the sixth inning, when CIU erupted for nine runs after loading the bases with no outs. Pomnitz tied the game with a two-RBI single, Cameron Farnsworth followed with an RBI knock to give the Rams the lead, and Aaron Guthrie added an RBI groundout. The rally continued with run-scoring hits from Quinn Jackson and Corbin Wright, along with an RBI from Smith and a groundout by Ian D'Amico to take control at 9-2.
Pomnitz finished with two RBIs, while Wright added two of his own as part of the sixth-inning surge. Farnsworth also recorded a multi-hit performance with an RBI, and Kai Smith reached base multiple times and drove in a run. On the mound, CIU relied on a strong bullpen effort to keep Paine off the board after the second inning. Campbell Denton earned the win with a scoreless inning of relief, while Collin Otte closed the door in the seventh, working around traffic to secure the victory.
Up Next: CIU hosts No. 14 Reinhardt University on Friday, April 10, to open their next Appalachian Athletic Conference (AAC) series, with first pitch set for 5 P.M. EST.
