The Bruins battled back from a 3-0 deficit to tie game two but Columbia International University edged BJU to complete the sweep 7-0 and 4-3 in a doubleheader on Tuesday in Columbia, South Carolina. With the losses, the Bruins fall to 4-23 on the season.
"I'm really proud of our guys for the way they fought and stayed in the game against a good team," Bruins Head Coach Brent Casteel said. "We had a few hits in that first game but just couldn't get them when we needed them. Our guys continue to work hard and we'll get ready for Saturday."
The Bruins came into the game on the heels of a weekend series loss to Trinity Baptist College. The Bruins had battled back to take the lead but a late rally by TBC gave them a win. The Bruins hoped to bounce back as they played a road doubleheader against the Rams, but knew they would be in for a tough test as CIU came into the game having won five of their last six.
Josh Crane would get the start for the Bruins, but the Rams jumped out to an early lead as an error and a single made it 3-0. The Bruins tried to battle back, but the team wasn't able to consistently get their bats going. The Rams then put the game out of reach in the bottom of the 5th as they scored four runs thanks in part to a two-run homerun by Gabe Austin. The Bruins just couldn't find their way back into the game as CIU held on for the 7-0 win in game one.
In game two, the Bruins again found themselves down early as CIU put up three runs in the bottom of the 1st. The Bruins began to chip away at the lead as Isaiah Brandt scored in the 3rd inning to make it 3-1. They weren't done as Andrew Vandenberghe singled home a run in the top of the 4th before Isaiah Brandt singled home the tying run to make it 3-3.
The Bruins had grabbed momentum and it showed as Conley Burk came out strong on the mound pitching six innings while striking out five. Unfortunately, the Bruins couldn't complete the comeback as the Rams added the go-ahead run in the bottom of the 5th and held on to win game two 4-3.
Isaiah Brandt led the Bruins in game two going 2-3 in the game with an RBI. Next up, the Bruins will be on the road again on Saturday as the team plays a doubleheader against Southern Wesleyan University in Central, South Carolina.
