The Bruins came up short in back to back games on Saturday as the team lost to Carolina University 10-8 and 11-0 in their home doubleheader. With the losses, the Bruins remain winless on the year at 0-11 including 0-8 in region play.
"The mental side of baseball is very difficult, especially for these young student-athletes," Bruins Head Coach Brent Casteel said. "They are working, but it takes time. I am proud of the effort that they are giving."
In the first game of the day, Carolina came out strong as they scored six runs in the first inning. The Bruins were back on their heels but the team came back as Isaiah Brandt singled to score a run as the team picked up two runs in the 2nd inning to trail 6-2.
After a tough start to the game, the Bruins turned to Josh Crane in relief and the senior delivered a strong performance pitching all seven innings in relief while striking out three and walking just one batter. Defensively, the Bruins continued to stand strong as they held Carolina scoreless in the next three innings.
In the bottom of the 4th inning, the Bruins came out strong as Nikita Sifonios singled home a run as part of a five-run fourth inning for the team to help the Bruins lead 8-6. Unfortunately, their lead was short-lived as Carolina came right back with four runs in the fifth inning to take a 10-8 lead.The Bruins tried to mount one last rally but Carolina reliever Kobe VanBogart closed out the Bruins in the 6th and 7th as CU held on for the 10-8 win.
For the second game of the day, the Bruins started Conley Burk on the mound. For Carolina, the story of the day was pitcher Charlee Edwards as the junior turned in a dominant performance striking out 15 batters and allowing just two hits on the day.
Carolina stormed out with three runs in the top of the first inning and then added two more in the fifth thanks to a sac fly by Josh Williams and a single by Matt Tullock. The Bruins couldn't get anything going with their bats as they ended up leaving six runners on base.
In the 6th inning, Carolina put the game out of reach as they scored four runs to lead 9-0. The team never looked back as they scored two more runs in the 7th inning to shutout the Bruins 11-0.
"In game one we really took a turn in a positive direction," Coach Casteel said. "The guys gave a great comeback effort but we just came up short in the end. In game two, we fell back into our old approach and couldn't seem to put it together."
Next up, the Bruins will be on the road on Tuesday as the team plays a doubleheader against Milligan University in Milligan, Tennessee.
