The Bruins came up short in a home doubleheader on Tuesday afternoon as the team lost to Columbia International University 9-4 and 4-2 at Conestee Park in Greenville, South Carolina. With the losses, the Bruins fall to 0-4 to start the season and 0-2 in region play.
"We're excited as we showed some great improvement today", Bruins Head Coach Brent Casteel said. "Our guys didn't quit today and we did a lot of things well. I was telling the guys I was really proud of the heart and grit they showed today. The wins will come and we'll continue to work hard to improve."
The Bruins came into the game on the heels of a doubleheader against Montreat College to open the season. The team was supposed to be on the road last weekend, but the series was canceled due to bad weather.
Columbia International came into Tuesday's games at 7-5 overall and were riding a hot streak as the team had won seven straight games.
In the opening game, the Bruins started Henry Wallach on the mound and the sophomore responded with a strong performance pitching 5 and 2/3 innings while striking out six and walking just one batter.
The Rams struck first in the top of the second inning as an error allowed Kody Trujillo to score to put CIU Up 1-0. The Bruins came right back in the bottom of the second as a single by Isaiah Brandt scored two runners to help spark a four-run inning for the Bruins as the team led 4-1. The lead didn't last long as a Carter Willis drove in three runs for the Rams in the top of the third to tie the game at 4-4.
The two teams remained scoreless until the top of the sixth when the Rams exploded with a five-run inning to push their lead to 9-4. Unfortunately, the Bruins couldn't recover as the team fell in game one 9-4. Zach Burk led the Bruins offensively going 3-4 on the day while Rommel Acosta finished 2-4 while also scoring a run.
In the second game of the day, the Bruins turned to Garrett Huskey to start on the mound for the team. The Rams jumped out to an early lead as Rafael Gonzales scored off a single from Carter Willis to give CIU a 1-0 lead.
The Rams extended their lead to 2-0 in the third inning after a walk scored a run with the bases loaded. The Bruins then turned to Conley Burk to pitch in relief and the junior didn't disappoint pitching four innings in relief while striking out six.
As the game reached the sixth inning, the Bruins were running out of time for the comeback as the score rested at 3-0. The Bruins cut the deficit after Conley Burk scored off a fielder's choice as the Bruins trailed 3-1. Cheo Arias then brought the Bruins closer with a single which scored Rommel Acosta as the Bruins trailed 3-2 and looked to complete the comeback.
In the 7th and final inning, the Rams extended their lead after Bryce Spittle singled home a run to help CIU lead 4-2. At their last at bat, the Bruins began a rally as Riley Ramsey singled to open the final inning.
Unfortunately, the rally was short-lived as Conley Burk and Zach Burk each flied out before Daniel Barcena grounded out as the Rams held on for a 4-2 win. Riley Ramsey led the Bruins going 2-4 in the game but the team was only able to put together five hits as a team in the loss.
"I'm really proud of our guys," Coach Casteel said. "We're starting to come together as a team and we're starting to get to know each other. You can't just do that in practice and we need this game experience and we know from here it is going to just get better and better. We got to keep pressing on and not give up."
Next up, the Bruins will be on the road this weekend as the team faces Toccoa Falls College in a three-game series. The first game will be played on Friday afternoon in Toccoa Falls, Georgia.
