It was an exciting end to tonight's game as Bob Jones would try to rally and score seven runs in the ninth inning, but it wasn't enough to overcome Carolina University as they fell 15-11 from Conestee Park. The BJU Bruins now sit 0-5 on the season.
"We came out here a little flat tonight after coming off of a great game on Tuesday," said Head Coach Brent Casteel. "For whatever reason the switch turned on towards the end, but it was just too late. They did a great job in coming back, and they didn't quit. I'm really proud of them for that."
Friday's game was a battle of the Bruins that featured the Bob Jones University Bruins and the Carolina University Bruins. This was the fourth time the two teams had met with Carolina taking all three games last season.
Zach Burk was on the mound first for the BJU Bruins and begin tonight's game by striking out all three of Carolina's hitters. In the third inning Carolina was able to score four runs to put them ahead of the Bruins. The CU Bruins would increase their lead over the home team in the fourth inning bringing the score to 9-0 in favor of the visitors. Zach Burk and Daniel Barcena got the home team on the board in the sixth inning, but the team still saw themselves down 13-2. It would be the Burk brothers (Conley and Zach) who would double the score for the BJU Bruins in the bottom of the seventh.
Things weren't looking favorable for the BJU Bruins, but in the bottom of the ninth things started to get interesting as Bob Jones looked for a major comeback. Zach Burk, Daniel Barcena and David Twiddy all walked to each take a base. Shane Paruch walked next letting Zach Burk score once again for the home team. Next up to bat was Daniel Wood. He would hit a double allowing Twiddy and Barcena to cross home plate. With the score now at 15-7, Riley Ramsey would come up to bat trying to build off of the momentum. Ramsey would rip it into left field and run towards second base allowing Shane Paruch to score. Daniel Wood would make the run to make it 15-9 after a wild pitch. With only one out, Colby Hogan sent the ball flying to right center field which allowed him to reach second and sent Riley Ramsey across home plate. The comeback ended there as the BJU Bruins were able to make one more run bringing the final score to 15-11 to close out Friday night's game.
"We're going to see what happens tomorrow," said Coach Casteel. "We know that we can beat this team. It's not out of our reach. We've got the ability to swing the bats, and the pitching to make it happen. It's just a matter of us showing up and choosing to do that. So we'll find out who we are tomorrow."
Bob Jones and Carolina University will be back at Conestee Park in Greenville, South Carolina tomorrow for a double header with games at 12:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m.
