It was another tough day for Bruins baseball as the team dropped both games of a Saturday doubleheader to Trinity International University at Conestee Park in Greenville, South Carolina. The Trojans swept the series with a win last night and followed it up with a 16-8 win in game one and an 8-2 victory in game two of the Saturday doubleheader. With the losses, the Bruins fall to 2-14 on the season.
"I saw the guys battle tonight," Bruins Head Baseball Coach Brent Casteel said. "We had some innings where we were battling and doing things well, but then we'd have an error or a few bad pitches and they beat us. We weren't able to put the runs on the board we needed, but I am proud of the way they pushed through today."
The Bruins came into the weekend series on the heels of back to back losses to Montreat College at Fluor Field on Tuesday afternoon. The Bruins then fell in a narrow 11-8 loss to Trinity International on Friday night and the team looked to bounce back and snap their losing streak as they took the field for game one on Saturday with Daniel Williams getting the start on the mound.
The Trojans jumped out to an early lead in the top of the first as Jonathan Kumai singled to score a run before TIU would add one more to take a 2-0 lead. The Trojans then added five runs in the second inning as the Bruins found themselves in a big hole trailing 7-0 after two.
The Bruins were able to find their bats in the third inning thanks in part to a two-run homerun by Danny Palmer as the team narrowed the deficit to 9-5. The Trojans refused to back down and continued to find holes in the field for hits as they extended their lead 12-8 after four.
The Bruins tried to battle back, but three runs in the sixth for the Trojans proved too much to overcome as TIU went on to take game one 16-8. The Bruins scored eight runs on seven hits in the game but six errors proved to be the difference maker in the loss.
After a short break, the two teams were back on the field for the series finale. Reid Giggleman took the hill for the Bruins as the team looked to battle back and take a victory to end the series.
The Trojans took the lead in the top of the first as Riley Murphy singled home a run to make it 1-0. The Bruins were able to keep the score close, but a four-run fourth inning by the Trojans pushed the lead to 5-0.
The Bruins were able to edge closer in the 5th as Daniel Barcena scored on the fielder's choice to make it 5-1. Cody Kirkpatrick then singled home another run for the Bruins to make it 5-2 as the team looked to continue the rally.
Unfortunately, that was the last runs the Bruins would score as the Trojans added three more runs in the sixth inning to make it 8-2. The Bruins weren't able to answer back in the seventh as the team final in an 8-2 decision.
Again errors proved to be a sore spot for the Bruins as the team scored two runs on four hits but had 5 errors in the game. Next up, the Bruins will be back home again on Tuesday as the team welcomes Columbia International University to Fluor Field in Greenville, South Carolina. First pitch is slated for 6 p.m. and
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