The Bruins were on the road on Friday as the team picked up back to back wins over Johnson University (TN) 3-2 and 10-8 in Knoxville, Tennessee. The Bruins were able to hang on for the victory in game one and then rallied from a 7-0 deficit in game two to win their third straight game and push their record to 4-16 overall.
"So proud of these guys," Bruins Head Coach Brent Casteel said. "They've been patient with a coach that is trying to push them in ways they haven't been pushed before and they've chosen to accept it and continue to work hard. They're realizing it's not just about the win, but the genuine effort given that matters most."
The Bruins came into the doubleheader on the heels of a 3-2 win over Toccoa Falls on Saturday. Earlier this season, the Bruins and Royals had squared off in a doubleheader with the teams splitting the two games with a win each on March 20.
In game one, the Bruins would lean on the arm of Josh Crane and the senior would once again deliver a strong performance pitching 6.1 innings while giving up just four hits and one earned run.
The Bruins would get on the board first thanks to a single from Conley Burk which scored Isaiah Brandt to make it 1-0 in the top of the 3rd. The Bruins would add to their lead in the top of the 4th thanks to a single by Cheo Arias to make it 2-0. The Royals came back with a pair of runs in the bottom of the 4th to tie the game at 2-2.
The two teams went back and forth with both having opportunities to take the lead. In the top of the 6th, Conley Burk once again came up big for the Bruins as the junior singled home his second RBI of the game to make it 3-2. Henry Wallach came on to pitch for the Bruins in the bottom of the seventh and picked up the save as the Bruins were able to hang on for the 3-2 win.
In the second game of the day, the Bruins turned to the arm of Garrett Huskey to start the game. The Royals came out looking to end the night with a win and it showed as Johnson scored two in the 2nd before storming out with five runs in the 3rd to make it 7-0.
The Bruins had their backs against the wall, but the team responded well as Daniel Barcena singled to put the Bruins on the board 7-1 in the top of the 4th. That run sparked a rally as Cheo Arias would drive home a pair of runs before stealing home as the Bruins put up seven runs in the 4th to tie the game at 7-7.
The Bruins had battled back and grabbed momentum, but the Royals came right back in the bottom of the 4th as Gavin Miles singled to score a run and give Johnson an 8-7 lead.
Conley Burk pitched 3.2 innings of relief for the Bruins while the team had several great defensive plays to keep the score close. Still, their couldn't seem to tie the game despite having chances to score.
That all changed in the top of the 7th inning. The Bruins were able to get runners on before Cheo Arias drove in his third RBI of the game to tie the score 8-8. Elijah Forbush then proved to be the hero for the Bruins as the junior singled to center field which scored Rommel Acosta and Nikita Sifonios to give the team a 10-8 lead.
In the bottom of the 7th, Seth Pressley flied out to center to begin the inning before Tyler Shelton singled to keep the Royals hopes alive. Those hopes of a comeback were short lived as the Bruins turned a double play to end the game and complete the comeback 10-8.
"These guys can walk away knowing they've given their best whether we win or lose and how it brings a great reward," Coach Casteel said. "Lately, God has even allowed us to win to go along with the effort and for that we are very thankful."
On the day, the Bruins put up 17 hits while Cheo Arias led the team with three hits and four RBIs. Next up, the Bruins will wrap up their weekend series with Johnson as the two teams will play at 1 p.m. on Saturday in Knoxville, Tennessee.
