The Bob Jones University Bruins baseball team opened the 2023 season on the road in Elizabeth City, North Carolina where they fell in a 6-2 decision to Mid-Atlantic Christian University.
"In our first night out, we had to shake off the cobwebs and it took a few innings to do so," said Head Coach Brent Casteel. "I am proud of all of the team for not letting up and continuing to improve each inning. I am looking forward to our games tomorrow!"
Due to potential rain this weekend, the Bruins and Mustangs pushed their weekend series up a day. While tonight's contest was the season opener for the Bruins, the Mustangs came into the game 1-3 on the season after falling 7-9 to Morris College the night before.
Tonight marked the sixth meeting between the two programs as the Bruins and Mustangs played five times in 2022 with the Bruins holding the 4-1 series record.
As the game got underway, the Bruins were looking to get on the board early but in the bottom of the second Mid-Atlantic took a 3-0 lead. The Bruins looked to battle back and in the top of the fifth, they got on the board bringing the score to 3-1. Mid-Atlantic responded in the bottom of the fifth with a home run to regain their three run lead.
It was the Mustangs who scored another run in the bottom of the sixth to go up 5-1. But the Bruins didn't back down and in the top of the seventh inning with the bases loaded, Kyle Prouse was hit by a pitch sending Conley Burk across home plate to bring the score up to 5-2. The Mustangs added one more run in the bottom of the eighth as they went on to win 6-2.
The Bruins are back on the field tomorrow and will play a doubleheader against Mid-Atlantic Christian University with the first game of the day scheduled for 12 p.m. in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.
