The Bob Jones University baseball team closed out the last week of the regular season with a much-needed 10-6 victory against Brevard College from Conestee Park in Greenville, South Carolina.
"Our team came out tonight and really brought it," said Head Coach Brent Casteel. "Looking at our pitching tonight, Henry Wallach had a slow start to the season but he has really turned it on and I am thankful for what he did for us tonight. Then Jerry Parker pulled up behind him and did the same thing. We kept the bats going all night long. This team never stopped and that's the way you play baseball."
As Tuesday's game got underway, the Bruins looked to Henry Wallach on the mound. The score remained scoreless through the first two innings before a 2 RBI single in the top of the third saw Brevard College break the deadlock.
It wasn't until the bottom of the fourth that the Bruins were able to get things rolling. Pablo Austin cut the Tornados lead in half after crossing home plate on a wild pitch. Up to the plate next was Gabe Swarms. After an error by the shortstop, Swarms was able to reach first base. The Bruins then took the lead thanks to a timely 2 RBI home run from Cody Kirkpatrick.
After two Brevard batters struck out swinging in the top of the sixth, Wallach looked to close out the inning but a triple from Taylor Mattern saw the Tornados pull ahead and take the 5-3 lead. Their advantage didn't last long as Conley Burk evened the score with a 2 RBI triple scoring Kam Lance and Zay Brandt.
In the top of the seventh, Jerry Parker came in to relieve Wallach from the pitching mound where he finished his shift with nine strikeouts. The game remained close, but once again the Tornadoes took the lead after a run scored in the top of the seventh off of a wild pitch. At the bottom of the inning with the bases loaded, Riley Ramsey responded with a single to tie the game once again.
With the game still tied at six runs apiece, the Bruins came up big in the bottom of the eighth scoring four runs as Conley Burk, Jerry Parker, Gabe Swarms and Cody Kirkpatrick each ran across home.
The Bruins held strong through the top of the final inning to finish with the 10-6 victory.
Up next, the Bruins close out the 2023 regular season with a home series against Mid-Atlantic Christian University Friday and Saturday.
