Making their way to Mocksville, North Carolina, the Bob Jones University baseball team got ready for a three game Battle of the Bruins series against Carolina University Thursday and Friday. After a big first inning for Carolina University put Bob Jones down by four, the BJU Bruins battled back but ultimately fell in a 8-6 loss to the CU Bruins. With today's loss the BJU Bruins drop to 2-4 on the season.

"We fell short tonight but we battled until the final out," said Head Coach Brent Casteel. "There is no quit in this team, and we can't wait to be on the field again tomorrow!"

The Bruins came into the game after falling in their home opener against St. Andrews University on Tuesday in a 3-5 decision. They knew they would be in for a tough test as they came into today's matchup against Carolina looking for their first win against the North Carolina team. The two Bruins programs have met 10 times over the past two seasons with Carolina sweeping the series. 

Daniel Williams would get the start for BJU on the mound. As the game got underway, an early homerun from Carolina would spark some momentum as the CU Bruins went on to see a four run first inning. 

The Bruins responded in the top of the fourth as Zach Burk sent the ball flying with a two RBI home run to cut down the CU Bruins lead. 

As the bottom of the fifth rolled around, Carolina tallied one more off of a wild pitch to take the 5-2 lead. In the top of the fifth, Isaiah Brandt lead off with a double to center field. A sacrifice fly from Riley Ramsey allowed Brandt to advance to third, putting him in scoring position. Conley Burk then came up to the plate and singled giving Brandt the chance to score for the Bruins. At the end of the fifth inning, Carolina still led 5-3. 

The scoring continued in the bottom of sixth as Carolina notched three more to see a five run lead. 

In the top of the seventh inning, Conley Burk doubled to left field following a center field single by Riley Ramsey to see runners at second and third. Next in the lineup was Zach Burk who went to work to send the ball out to right field sending both Conley Burk and Riley Ramsey over home plate. 

Coach Casteel subbed Gabriel Swarms in to pitch for Williams in the bottom of the seventh. 

The battle continued, and in the eighth inning Chad Bayne scored for BJU to see Carolina's lead shrink to just two. Both teams fought until the very end, but after nine innings of play, Carolina University came out on top in the 8-6 win. 

The two teams are back on the field tomorrow at Mando Field in Mocksville, North Carolina for a doubleheader beginning at noon.

Tweet #WeAreBruins    Tweet #BruinsBaseball